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By HARRY CLARKE
THOROUGHBRED training newcomer Jack Bruce is hoping to continue the remarkable success he’s had early in his career when he brings 6-year-old gelding Axe up the range for the Audi Centre Toowoomba Weetwood handicap on Saturday.
Bruce, originally from New Zealand, spent ten years in Sydney under the mentorship of some of Australia’s top trainers before moving to Queensland in May to establish his own business.
Since then he’s sent 24 horses to the races from his stables at Deagon Racecourse in Brisbane’s north. From 38 starts they’ve produced an impressive win rate of 29 percent.
Axe, a tried horse Bruce purchased online for $35,000, showed huge promise first up on the Gold Coast last month with a nose defeat in the Listed 1200M Atlas Golf Services Goldmarket.
The horse that won, Garibaldi from Tony Gollan’s stable, is also nominated in the 1200m Weetwood on Saturday among other strong contenders including Kelly Purdy’s Bandipur and Stuart Kendrick’s Bonaparte.
Bruce said Axe would be well suited to the Clifford Park track on Toowoomba’s biggest annual race day.
“He’s an older horse and he’s racing well and that open handicap at Listed level is really his sweet spot,” Bruce said.
“There’s some really good prize money to be won in Queensland for those sorts of horses.
“My main aim (with Axe) is for the Magic Millions carnival next year, but between now and then we can hopefully pick the eyes out of what’s on offer in Queensland.”
Before moving to the Sunshine State, Bruce worked as an assistant for leading trainers Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, and as racing manager for Bjorn Baker. He’s also a graduate of the prestigious Darley Flying Start program.
He said the experience of working for the best in the business had been a huge help when he took a leap of faith and went out on his own in Brisbane.
“I was lucky with the role that I had in all three stables,” Bruce (pictured) said.
“I was given a lot of opportunity and a lot of support and that’s something I can still call upon, and also they’ve influenced the way I operate and my thought processes when it comes to training horses.
“It’s those little insights and little extras they did for me through those last 10 years that’s really been helpful when you’re starting your own business, because it’s a big step to make.
“On a personal level and certainly in racing I’ve had support from corners that I didn’t think I would, so that’s made the transition a lot easier.
“After the opening four months I couldn’t be enjoying it any more. It’s been really, really good.”
As well as Axe, Bruce is also hoping to bring stablemate Matowatapke on his first trip to Toowoomba, depending on barrier draws and the gelding’s preparation this week.
“When I worked for Bjorn Baker he ran Coolring in the Weetwood. I remember watching it on tele and seeing thousands of people and thinking it would be great to go to the Toowoomba Cup,” he said,
“When I got Axe I thought he would be a perfect Weetwood horse, and here we are.
“Every trainer loves country cups because it’s a great day out and there’s certainly a buzz about them, so I’m looking forward to going out there and getting amongst it.”
