by Matt Markham
It’s taken a bit of time to get to this point, but Andrew Stuart is pretty excited about what the future might hold for Sportscaster.
The three-year-old son of Mister Big made it two wins from three starts at Addington on Friday night, after an extended period on the sideline that curtailed most of his three-year-old year.
“He got a really bad quarter crack,” Stuart said,
“Which was a shame because he could have picked up a few wins along the way, and a few free ones too with the old handicapping system.
“But we just gave him as long as he needed to get over it, and it looks like it it’s going to be worth the wait.”
Confidently driven on Friday night by the red hot Blair Orange, Sportscaster held off all the challenges to win by a head.
It was a good return to form after he blotted his copybook with a wild gallop at Ashburton fresh up.
“I hoped that wouldn’t knock his confidence and it appears like it hasn’t which is great.”
The intention going forward is strike while the iron is hot with the gelding, and that means you’ll see plenty more of him over the winter months.
“He’s good and healthy and fit so it makes sense to press right on with him.
“I’ve got a lot of time for him and think he will do a really good job.”
Sportscaster was bred by the late Lynair O’Connell and is the third foal from the Bettor’s Delight mare, Maddison Lee who has also left the talented Jeanie Pops who raced from the Nigel McGrath stable.
Stuart purchased the horse as a yearling and is joined in the ownership by good mates, Brent Wall, Jason Everest and Tony Smart.
Stuart was another who joined the growing chorus of horseman, particularly from Canterbury, who are starting to see the positive nature of the new handicapping system, despite the fact Sportcaster is one of those who was given a raw deal.
“He should have had a free win, but that doesn’t really matter – he would have got to where he is anyway.
“I can honestly say though, particularly at this time of the year when the racing is a little light, that it’s doing a good job for the horse numbers.”
Sportscaster was one of four winning drives for Orange on Friday night who continued a grand run of form.
He won the first non-tote, Breeders Crown heat with the promising Angel Of Harlem for Barry Ward in what was a pick up drive, with Matty Williamson having transport difficulties due to the weather.
Then on the normal card he won with the promising Idle Moose for Roger Austin and then also won the last of the night with Reaza Grunter for Ken and Tony Barron.
That takes him to 191 wins for the season, and will leave him short of the magical 200 mark by the time the end of the season rolls around, most likely, but his tally, as it sits, is the ninth highest season tally for a driver in a season ever.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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