Life took the 57-year-old into rodeos, working with problem horses away from the track and polocrosse, as well as a career in running a trucking company.

Now, four decades on from his stint as a track work rider, the now Townsville-based Bush is finally getting the chance to pursue his interest in the racing game.

He had his first couple of starters as a trainer earlier this month and has his best opportunity yet to snag a maiden victory at Bowen on Thursday afternoon.

In a rare mid-week TAB meeting for the Bowen club, massive fields are set to contest the eight races on offer, with 114 gallopers accepting.

Five of those are for the rookie Bush team.

"I am still learning but it is about getting the horses fit and keeping them happy," Bush said.

"If you think you know it all, then you will come unstuck."

Bush and his family would head to Townsville once a year for rodeo earlier in their lives and relocated to the North Queensland city on a permanent basis just over 12 months ago.

They have set up a stable on their property – which is located about 20 minutes from Townsville's Cluden Park – where they are housing half a dozen gallopers in work.

If Bush can find some success as a trainer, he is open to expanding the numbers in work at his yard in the future.

Still working, selling some hay as well as carting livestock and general freight through his truck company, Bush is keen to have a red hot crack at training.

"I am trying to put the horses in full-time," he said.

"We still rodeo hard but we are trying to wean out of that a little bit and go into more racing.

"My wife Michelle barrel races, she finished second in the big show at Mount Isa the other day, and we rodeo most weekend's.

"We are in the process of getting out of rodeo's and into racing."