Twenty-seven of Australia’s best bull riders will take on a relatively-unfamiliar pen of bulls this weekend at the PBR Australia Monster Energy Beaudesert Invitational. Only three regular-season events remain until the PBR Australia Grand Finals in Townsville, so the pressure is on in the race for the gold buckle.
Braydon Wellby vs Voodoo (BK Bucking Bulls)
Wellby returns to competition for his first event since August’s Newcastle Invitational where he finished fourth. Voodoo is an honest bull and produces a fairly consistent trip every out. He is usually around to the left but can try and fake a rider out with a dive to the left out of the chute. Wellby rides well away from his hand and he should get the job done here.
Ryan Storey vs Ryans Gangster (BK Bucking Bulls)
This looks a nice matchup for Storey who has ridden six of his last eight bulls. Ryans Gangster tries to get riders back off their rope as he leaves the chute and then will be around to the right. Storey has been almost unstoppable of late and I think he should finish on top here.
Bailey Woodard vs Gee Whiz (Hall Rodeo Co.)
Woodard gets a rematch with Gee Wizz, who he faced at Mount Cotton earlier this year. The buck off time was 7.32 seconds that night with the bull turning back to the left. We saw Gee Whiz covered at Last Cowboy Standing by Braydon Wellby for 82.25 points where he backed out of the chutes and went right. Either way, this matchup looks to be a toss of the coin.
Aaron Kleier vs SweetPro’s Deceptacon (Kasper Bucking Bulls)
This looks to be the matchup of the round. It will be a rematch from Grafton last year where the bull won in 7.30 seconds. Deceptacon has given up only one ride this season with Cliff Richardson scoring 86.75 points. The bull will be around to the right and it could be the trigger for Kleier to put together a solid event finish.
Fraser Babbington vs Russian Roulette (Stuart Timm/Allen)
We have seen Russian Roulette three times in PBR competition and he has given up just the one ride. They will go back to a left delivery with Russian Roulette after he wobbled about from the right chutes in Brisbane and this should produce a truer performance. The bull will be around to the right and looks a nice way for Babbington to break his current buck-off streak.
Kurt Shephard vs I’m A Freckle Too (Wallace Bucking Bulls)
I’m A Freckle Too is unridden in his four career PBR outs but faces his toughest opponent here. Shephard has been riding well since returning from injury recording two top-5 finishes. The bull likes to turn back to the left in tight to the chutes and settle into a good rhythm. I think Sheppard will come out on top here and put a solid score on the board.
Rohan Markham vs Super Natural (Wallace Bucking Bulls)
This looks a competitive matchup to close out the long round. We saw Ryan Storey put up 84-points in Rockhampton on this bull. Super Natural will be away from Markham’s hand and the result could go either way, but I think if he can keep upright, Markham should be able to get past this bull.