Sideshow Bruce now centre stage

Horse racing is full of hard luck stories and Wakefield hobby harness trainer Robbie Stuart has had his share of them.

But in a lucky twist, a replacement for a horse that had to be put down has proved his latest winner in a career stretching almost 40 years.

When Sideshow Bruce arrived at Robbie’s Richmond Park stables earlier this year, the Big Show might have been a more fitting name as the three-year-old is about 17 hands high.

Nicknamed Jasper, he also made an impression with his raw ability, and Robbie was bullish when he floated him almost seven hours to Banks Peninsula to make his grass track debut last month.

“I knew he was good,” Robbie declares.

The country’s two leading drivers, Blair Orange and Johnny Dunn, were both unavailable to take the drive so Robbie enlisted veteran horseman Robert Anderson who educates his young horses.

“That absolutely helped his price. I got him at 91’s on fixed odds and he got out to over 100 to one at one stage. At that sort of dividend you don’t have to put too much on,” Robbie smiled.

His unfancied charge promptly delivered on his promise, working hard early and then securing cover before overpowering his more experienced rivals in the long run home.

“I was pleased for the horse. Pleased he was able to show what he’s got. And Robert drove him to perfection too,” the 70-something trainer says.

It made up for Sideshow Bruce’s stablemate Amalfi getting beaten “by an inch” into second on the same course back in April.

And Robbie ruefully recalled one of his former pacers, Dana Dawn finishing second, seven times in a row.

The horses have certainly kept Robbie and his wife and registered stable hand Sue busy since retiring.  Robbie spent 42 years at the Alliance Meat Works while Sue was in the education field.

The pair are key players in the tight-knit local racing community and make the trip in from Wakefield twice a day to feed their horses at the little-used Richmond Park complex.

That passion has been rewarded with a steady flow of winners, especially in recent years.

Jazelle won 11 races while her half-brother Nerano was sold to Australia and went on to win two heats at the Interdominion Pacing Championships in Brisbane last December and finished fifth in the final.

“We let him go cheaply but his efforts there have helped make a name for our breed,” Robbie reflects.

As for Sideshow Bruce, he came through his tough run so well that he may head back to Canterbury again later this month. This time Addington Raceway, the South Island harness Mecca where the Stuarts have enjoyed success before.

“That’s the problem, finding the next suitable race after you win your first one.”

Beyond that, the West Coast Christmas circuit beckons as the Stuart’s love the atmosphere down there.