Queensland trainer Jack Bruce is on the brink of breaking into the top 10 metropolitan trainers rankings and hopes to do so with his “key runners” in the coming days.
Sunshine Coast and Deagon trainer Jack Bruce is on the brink of breaking into the top 10 Queensland Metropolitan Trainer’s Premiership rankings after only launching in May 2022.
The 33-year-old currently has 13 city wins and 22 placings from 72 starts.
He sits equal 10th with Eagle Farm trainer Kelly Schweida and holds the second best winning strike rate of 18.1 per cent behind Tony Gollan with 20.5 per cent.
“Not at all did I think this would be possible so early on, I just wanted to train a handful of winners in my first season and go from there,” he said.
“The main thing you want to achieve is making sure everything you send to the races runs well and I think more than half of my starters have run in the top three.
“Getting inside that top 10 is an obvious goal and something to work towards for next year but I’ve had a great season and I’m really proud of what we’ve all been able to achieve.”
The graduate of the prestigious Godolphin Flying Start program began working at Windsor Park Stud Farm before spending 10 years learning the ropes under Bjorn Baker, Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher.
In November he expanded by securing a further 20 boxes at the Sunshine Coast to add to his 24 at Deagon.
Bruce said he had high hopes for his two runners at Doomben on Saturday.
“Matowatakpe should’ve won last start but was the victim of a poor ride which happens in racing but he’s going really well and there’s a few options for him on Saturday if he can handle the quick back up,” he said.
“I’m happy with him, he hasn’t won in a long time and has probably reached his grade now but when everything goes his way he’s more than capable of going well so he’s one of my best chances.
“The other is Calescnet who has been a prolific winner in the bush in New South Wales and comes to Queensland to try and win a race for Eureka Stud in the city.
“That’s going to be challenging but it is possible.”
Maiden runners Freddie and Kozani are nominated to run at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.
“Freddie trialled really well, I was happy with him as he’s been a bit of an improved commodity since the start of his preparation,” he said.
“He’s been in work a long time so the 1400m first-up holds no fears and Kozani ran a good third first-up at Ipswich.
“He’s still learning and lacks a bit of ringcraft, he’ll definitely improve, I’m not too sure if it’ll be enough to be in front but probably his third-up run is where he’ll be ready to peak.”