Sideshow Bruce turning heads after Westport double

While the history-making Samantha Ottley stole the headlines, and rightly so, at Westport another star performer has been the Robert Stuart-trained Sideshow Bruce.

The three-year-old Sweet Lou gelding made it two from two on the circuit. Both victories were eye catching performances in the hands of Blair Orange.

“He’s going along alright. He seems to like the grass,” said trainer Robert Stuart.

After rounding up his rivals for fun on the first day, Sideshow Bruce repeated the dose on the second day in the Pat Scanlon Memorial Martins Mitre 10 Westport mobile pace over 2600m. Sideshow Bruce settled third last for the most part of the race before receiving a convenient drag into the race from the 400m. Orange then angled to produce Sideshow Bruce who was dominant in the run to the line winning by two and a half lengths from local charge Stanley’s Rule.

“He’s got a really good attitude.” 

“We got him in January and have taken him along quietly since then. We are pleased that all the work we’ve put into him has turned a profit. He’s been a little bit difficult at times.”

Sideshow Bruce’s win made it his third from just four starts with his only defeat a narrow second.

“He’ll race at Nelson and then have a decent break.”

Other highlights on the card were a training and driving double for Jim Curtin (Red Wine Kisses and Brandi Snapp), Samantha Ottley driving four winners (Geena’s Gift, Francent, Masterly and Piccadilly Pete), Paul Nairn training the trifecta in the Total Gas Care Durban Chief Westport Trotters Cup (Masterly, El Conqueror, Tu Tangata) and a double for Michael House and Wilson House (Hit The Lights and The Next Best Thing).

For complete race results, click here.

by Mike Love, for Harness Racing New Zealand