By Matt Markham
A little bit like the man himself, Andrew Stuart’s 200thtraining success was a rather elusive affair.
Not many knew that the North Canterbury horseman was knocking on the door of a double ton but when Woosh Factor out-toughed his rivals in the amateur drivers event at Timaru on Wednesday, it was mission accomplished.
“I knew I was getting close and then when Pay Me Visa won last week, Matt Cross said that was 199,” Stuart said.
“It’s an achievement to be proud of, but hopefully I’m not finished yet.”
Stuart is enjoying a good season with eight winners on the board already and the promise of plenty more.
Woosh Factor’s victory on Wednesday was his second for the month after he won at Cromwell early in the New Year as well – although his future might now lie away from Stuart’s stable.
“He’s definitely for sale, so hopefully there is someone out there who is on the lookout for a horse like him.
“He’s going super at the moment and will continue to do a really good job I reckon.”
Driven on Wednesday by Adam White, Woosh Factor was forced to do plenty of work during the running but he was simply too tough for his opponents as he cleared out down the straight to win the fourth race of his career.
Stuart is in the process of relocating his training business after deciding to call time on his stay at the Rangiora Racecourse. He is having a track put down on his own property and is for the meantime working his horses at Ken Odger’s property.
“It’s going to be good to have everything at home on the back door step.
“The track isn’t far away from being sorted so we will be in there soon.”
There are currently 20 horses in his stable.
Later on in the day on Wednesday, Peter Bagrie picked up his first and second winners of the season when Smooth Mara and Dana Duke won in an almost carbon copy of each other.
Both were sent to the front by Dexter Dunn early on and dictated terms before sprinting away at the top of the straight to win comfortably.
For Dana Duke it was a massive drop back in grade after contesting some Country Cup races in recent weeks.
The big pacer by Mach Three from Ciccio Star has now won four races and close to $50,000 in stakes.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
