‘I’ll pay for the water’: Track twist surfaces ahead of Fab’s Cowboy’s farewell as trainer pleads for watered track at Longreach

The trainer of Fab’s Cowboy says he wants the Longreach dirt track to be watered for the bush racing legend’s farewell to racing, otherwise there is a chance he won’t line up for his final start on Saturday.

The Fab’s Cowboy fairytale could have a twist, with the trainer saying he won’t hesitate to scratch the bush racing legend from his farewell race if the Longreach dirt track is not watered to a suitable extent.

Barcaldine trainer Bevan “Billy” Johnson told Racenet he has even offered to pay for the track watering himself, ahead of Fab’s Cowboy’s final race on Saturday before compulsory retirement.

After an extensive racing career, 12-year-old Fab’s Cowboy is sound in condition – and connections want to make sure he stays that way for his looming retirement to the Living Legends facility in Victoria.

As long as Johnson has been training, his motto has been ‘love the horse first, love the (racing) game second’.

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“I have told them (Longreach club officials) if costs are an issue, I will pay it,” Johnson said.

“I think it would cost about $1200 for a (water) load to go around the track.

“It’s got to be watered, it can’t be like a car road. It’s got to have a bit of fluff in it.

“I’ve told them that Fab’s Cowboy has to present to Living Legends in Victoria when he retires as a sound horse.

“A hard track on Saturday will be no good for him.”

Fab's Cowboy and his trainer, Bevan ‘Billy’ Johnson. Picture: Racing Queensland.

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It’s a long way from the dirt track at Longreach to the lush green surrounds of Flemington.

But the calls are reminiscent of how European trainers including Aidan O’Brien used to call for the Flemington track to be watered before the Melbourne Cup.

Fab's Cowboy has a gallop on the sand track at trainer Bevan "Billy" Johnson's Barcaldine property.

🎥 via @bendorries76pic.twitter.com/AUceRXletp

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) July 24, 2024

In 2018, prominent owner Nick Williams, son of Cups King Lloyd, urged Flemington officials to “turn the taps on” ahead of Irish import Yucatan’s crack at the Cup.

Ahead of Fab’s Cowboy’s last run, all connections want is a surface that is not too hard for the warhorse’s last hurrah.

Johnson and his wife Mel have dual nominated Fab’s Cowboy for both Longreach and Charters Towers on Saturday.

But they say Fab’s Cowboy will almost certainly head to Longreach for the Farewell Fab’s Cowboy – Birdcage Sprint Open Plate (1200m).

The Johnsons insist, however, that if the Longreach racing surface is too hard, then the 12-year-old warhorse won’t be taking part.

A big thrill for @bendorries meeting Queensland outback marvel Fab's Cowboy pic.twitter.com/zObLpskswn

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) July 24, 2024

Fab’s Cowboy has had 158 starts and his 159th will be his last if he lines up on Saturday.

Australian racing rules state that horses must retire when they turn 13 and the Johnsons have no issue with the rule.

Fab’s Cowboy, whose 54 wins are more than any other horse in racing’s modern era, has secured a spot for his retirement at Living Legends in Victoria where he will benefit from an under saddle program.

Originally published as ‘I’ll pay for the water’: Track twist surfaces ahead of Fab’s Cowboy’s farewell as trainer pleads for watered track at Longreach