Sparkies jet into town chasing Cups Final

By Jordan Gerrans

A couple of bush sparkies have put their money where their mouth is in regard to their passion for horse racing over the last couple of years and they are optimistic they might be able to win a chunk of it back on the big stage this Saturday.

Daniel Bruce operates Bruce Air and Electrical across regional Queensland, servicing some of the most remote areas in the state.

Bruce’s close mate Josh Sullivan is also an electrician in Charleville.

For some fun away from the tools, they also operate ‘Daniel and Josh Racing’ with the ownership group heading to the city this Saturday with Country Cups Challenge hopeful Kazza's Jet.

The bush electricians are also big supporters of regional racing clubs, sponsoring Betoota, Bedourie, Longreach and Jundah, among others.

The lads have steadily grown their team of horses over the last few years as well as their investment in backing remote racing.

“We try and sponsor as many races as possible as we work between Charleville, Windorah and the Birdsville area – the Far West,” Bruce said.

“We do some work out Longreach way, as well.

“We like to sponsor the Cups. Anything racing, we are happy to help with.”

Bruce Air and Electrical supply solar, air conditioning and larger electrical needs across rural and remote Queensland. 

The company is based out of Charleville with Bruce recently relocating to Bedourie to be more central to where the company’s work opportunities are located.

Bruce hails from the famous Baker racing clan in regional Queensland with his uncle Leslie the conditioner of Kazza's Jet.

Bruce and Sullivan have been close mates for many years and now race around 10 horses together.

Bruce was in the original ownership group of the mare when she was prepared by Robert Stenhouse at Caloundra.

The daughter of Jet Spur was competitive around South East Queensland – winning a city maiden at Doomben in the first month of last year - before being moved on to the bush following tendon issues.

Bruce rang up his mate Sullivan and paid $1,000 for her – which they split – and their ownership stable has only grown since.

Kazza's Jet has now won seven races and been placed on 17 other occasions as she has racked up almost $130,000 in career stakes.

With $200,000 on the line in Saturday’s CCC decider, Daniel and Josh Racing are daring to dream.

Kazza's Jet has been to the races 20 times this year and qualified for the Final by claiming the Charleville Cup over 1625 metres in dominant fashion last month.

“She has only been out of the money a handful of times since we have had her out here,” the part-owner said.

“She ran a bad race at Roma last start but we are not too worried about that.”

Kazza's Jet gets in light at 52kg with Angela Jones taking the ride on Saturday from the 13 alley.

With Doomben a Soft 7 as of Thursday morning, Kazza's Jet’s reasonable form on rain impacted surfaces could be key.

The mare is a $31 chance with bookmakers as of Thursday morning. 

She has placed for times in seven attempts on soft or heavy going.  

“We are hoping she can be competitive as she has won at Doomben before,” Bruce said.

“It depends on the rain but she has run well on heavy and soft surfaces before. I am not sure much of the field has heavy form so it could play into our favour.

“She would prefer a good track but she does not mind some sting taken out of it either. We are hopeful she will run well.”

Daniel and Josh Racing have four gallopers with Baker including Hidden Eyes who is a last start winner at Barcaldine in an Open Plate over 1200 metres.

The ownership team were hopeful of landing Hidden Eyes in the Country Stampede Final but he did not make the field.

“Les has a good set-up where he is, he has a good facility,” Bruce said.

“All Les’ horses he trains are for us, we have had a fair bit of success with him.”