From the freezing cold to the scorching heat, in 2011 young driver Stuart McDonald made the daring move to leave his family and relocate to Australia to seek more opportunities within the harness racing industry.
In 2013 at a small town track approximately 200km out of Perth, Stuart or Stewie as his friends call him, drove his first winner to victory with Greg Schofield-trained Mako Shadow. He worked with Greg Schofield for 18 months before moving on to work for Byford trainer Ross Olivieri.
With 73 wins this season, Stewie’s short-term career goal is to win a Group One race as a driver and has so far enjoyed success with Our Blackbird in the 2015 Inter Dominion Final to finish fifth. On the March 4, 2014, Stewie drove a double with Imtheguy and Arousing at Gloucester Park for Ross.
The 21-year-old from Christchurch describes Ross as his greatest influence and feels privileged that Ross is giving him the opportunities to help him achieve his career goal of being a freelance driver.
New Zealand or Australia: Australia
Favourite singer: Hilltop Hoods
Favourite food: Chicken Bernard
Childhood hero: My Dad
Who do you think is the best driver: Gary Hall Jnr
Best Track driven at: Pinjarra, WA
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
