By Jordan Gerrans
Jack Bruce was tempted by the big dollars on offer in Sydney with Weetwood champion Axe but the prolific rookie has opted to remain in Brisbane and work on his growing strike-rate.
The first-year trainer was able to nab his maiden stakes event on the Darling Downs with the tough sprinter late last month.
On top of picking up his first-ever Listed race in his short training career, Bruce has also enjoyed a stunning recent period winning lower classed races.
In late August, the Bruce barn went through a run when they prepared six winners from eight starters following a double at Dalby.
All in all, the emerging horseman has collected 14 victories from just over 50 starters, as well as 18 minor placings.
He has quickly cemented himself as a trainer on the rise, not just in the Sunshine State, but in the training ranks across the country.
“It is great and I have been really proud of that,” he said leaning over the Deagon track fence on Tuesday afternoon.
“It has been pleasing to see.
“The results have been great but my main key performance indicators is that the horses are running well, I have had a lot of top four finishes.
“I have had horses that I have gone to the races expecting them to run well and if they finish second or third, or look like they will win it some stage, that is the main indicator that they are placed in the right races and they are happy and healthy.”
The tracks Bruce has won races at since he took out his licence reads like a tourism advertisement for South East Queensland: Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Dalby, Gatton, Ipswich, Beaudesert and the Sunshine Coast.
While Bruce has made his presence felt at a provincial level to boost his strike-rate up, it is the former Michael Costa-trained Axe who has given the Deagon-based trainer his share of the headlines.
Axe was earlier this week nominated for the Group 3 Sydney Stakes at Randwick, as well as being put in an Open Handicap at Eagle Farm this Saturday.
While the $2 million on offer in the Sydney Stakes was appetising for the trainer and connections, they have opted to remain in the Sunshine State this week.
It is all part of the long-term plan to head to Aquis Park early in 2023.
“With it being a big prize money race in Sydney, I got very tempted,” Bruce said with a smile.
“He is going really well and he is in a good vein of form so I suppose it would have now been a case of making the most of it.
“But, I want to keep the horse here in Brisbane for the simple fact that the rest of his preparation will be here, I do not want disrupt anything.
“I want to ensure he has a run at Eagle Farm before the lead-up to the Magic Millions.
“I am happy to keep him in his routine here and I think it is a nice race for him on Saturday here.”