Here Comes Brucie, who began racing in January at the age of nine, recorded his first win at his ninth start on Sunday at Washdyke.
Here Comes Brucie had been happily grazing away his days while his Washdyke owner-trainer-breeder David Johnston had his hands full preparing other horses and working two jobs.
The Holmes Hanover gelding qualified at Orari in October.
Here Comes Brucie, who Johnston races with his wife, Leeann, belied his years when he won decisively drawing away by four lengths in a 2.04 mile rate for the 2600m, the last 800m in 57.7 in the hands of Jamie Keast.
Keast said he felt the horse was still a bit green but had the potential to win more races.
Here Comes Brucie is the last foal of the unraced Summer Belle, who has left six winners from six foals to race. She died a year after foaling Here Comes Brucie, who was named after the family dog, Brucie, a shar pei, who was known for his toughness.
All the winners from the mare are prefixed Here Comes to maintain the family continuity.
The best winner from Summer Belle was Here Comes David (by Clever Innocence), who won four races in New Zealand as well as 40 in total in Australia and America. Here Comes Soky who recorded 11 wins.
Here Comes Ernie and Here Comes Gretta (two each). Here Comes Homer was also successful.
Johnston (50), who prepares his horses at Washdyke under a licence to train, supplements his standardbred interests with employment at the freezing works and driving a taxi.
Here Comes Brucie will be looking to enhance his record at Washdyke on Sunday week.
• Tumundal is due a win at Forbury Park tonight. He has been placed in his last three starts, including a third to Maori Invasion and Billy Ray at Ascot Park on Saturday. The leading reinsman Dexter is back in the sulky of Tumundal. Dunn drove eight winners last weekend.
Come Tomorrow has her first start from the Bruce Negus stable in race 9 tonight. The 3yr-old filly ran on late in cramped quarters at her only other start last Tuesday at Washdyke from the Mark Jones barn.
• Trojan, who has been sidelined with injury since he last raced 11 months ago, won his second trial on end at Ascot Park yesterday.
The Geoff and Jude Knight trained 5yr-old won his last three races before his injury.
The Julius Caesar gelding has won seven of his 30 starts and been placed eight times.
Trials results from yesterday:
NZ Metropolitan
Weather, overcast; track, easy.
Qualifying test, pacers, 2600m (first heat): Crafty Knight G Lamb 1; Lee Van Cleef 2; Caesar's Prince 3. Eight started. 1L; 1L. Time, 3.30.3 (four qualified). Trainer, G Lamb.
Second heat: Quickly S Stewart 1; Harvest Boy 2; Mean't To Bea Mach 3. Five started. 2 1/4L; 1L. Time, 2.36.6 (four qualified). Trainer, M Jones.
Two-yr-old pacers, c&g, mobile, 2000m: Jay Bees Grin D Dunn 1; Atomic Soky 2; Vice Chairman 3. Five started. 3 3/4L; 1 1/4L. Time, 2.35.4. Trainer, D Moore.
Qualifying test, pacers, mobile, 2000m (first heat): Pembrook Caesar N McGrath 1; Cerock 2; The Lutts 3. Six started. 9L; 3L. Time, 2.32.8 (three qualified). Trainer, N McGrath.
Second heat: Birds Can Sing S Stewart 1; Machs Party 2; Suu Kyi 3. Three started. Hd; 8L. Time, 2.36 (two qualified). Trainer, M Jones.
Two-yr-old trotters, c&g, mobile, 2000m: Master Lavros B Orange 1. Only starter. Time, 2.35.9. Trainer, M Jones.
Two-yr-old f, mobile, 2000m: Arnette N McGrath 1; Christian Party 2. Two started. 1/2L. Time, 2.41.2. Trainer, S Evans.
0w pacers, mobile, 1950m: Christian Royal R Holmes 1; Redundancy 2; Western Gailes 3. Ten started. 1/2L; 1/2L. Time, 2.29.9. Trainer, R Holmes.
1w pacers, mobile, 1950m: Arden's Southee A Jenkins 1; Temudjin 2; By Appointment 3. Seven started. 3/4L; 1 1/2L. Time, 2.27.2. Trainer, R Jenkins.
2-4w pacers, mobile, 1950m: State Of Affairs M Shinn 1; Alchemy 2; Caesar's Bracelet 3. Six started. Hd; 1 1/2L. Time, 2.30.6. Trainer, M Shinn.
0w trotters, 2600m: Under Exposed B Orange 1; Earl Of Dryden 2; Sunny Connie 3. Six started. 2 1/4L; 1/2L. Time, 3.37.4. Trainer, M Austin.
0w pacers, 2600m: Rare Exception C De Filippi 1; Latte Lass 2; Ohoka Boston 3. Nine started. 1/2L; 1 1/2L. Time, 3.31.7. Trainer, I Court.
1-4w trotters, 2600m: Royal Loch K Cameron 1; William Lance 2; William Tell 3. Three started. 2 1/4L; nk. Time, 3.40. Trainer, S Hale.
1-3w pacers, 2600m: Datmymulligan K O'Connor 1; Bella Arden 2; Not Home Enough 3. Nine started. 1/2nk; 1/2L. Time, 3.24.6. Trainer, K O'Connor.
Ascot Park
Weather, overcast; track, fast.
Qualifying test, pacers, 2200m: The River Card M Shirley 1; Some Kinda Tactics 2; Cashmere Mafia 3. Four started. 4L; 1 1/2L. Time, 2.53.5 (three qualified). Trainer, M Shirley.
Qualifying test, trotters, 2200m: Giving Its Best B Gray 1; Makarewa Lil 2. Two started. 10L. Time, 3.02.1 (two qualified). Trainer, B Campbell.
Qualifying test, pacers, mobile, 2200m: Tact Hayleys Delight C Hanna 1; Libby Jaccka 2. Two started. 2 1/2L. Time, 2.52.3. Trainer, T Proctor.
0w pacers, mobile, 2200m: Sly Courage B Barclay 1; On The Lure 2; Pennyana 3. Seven started. Nk; hd. Time, 2.49.4. Trainer: R Giles.
1w+ pacers, mobile, 2200m: Trojan C Hanna 1; Newcombe 2; Suffolk Lady 3. Four started. 5L; 15L. Time, 2.49.6. Trainers, G and J Knight.
0w pacers, 2200m: Suerte M Shirley 1; King John 2; Cloud Song 3. Five started. 2 1/4L; 1/2L. Time, 2.53.3. Trainer, M Shirley.
