Sigvart going just super ahead of training return

By Jordan Gerrans

Conditioner Shane Sigvart believes he can make a 'just super' return to the races on Thursday when he starts his first galloper in almost two years.

The Central Queensland-based trainer boasted a decent strike-rate through the back end of 2021 into the middle of 2023 before he stepped away from training on a full-time basis.

Now back poking along with one galloper, Sigvart is keen to enjoy his work-life balance when it comes to his day job as well as his passion of preparing horses.

Sigvart heads to Callaghan Park with consistent sprinter Just Super who tackles an Open Handicap over 1100 metres on Thursday. 

The five-year-old gelding enjoyed a campaign with the now dissolved training partnership of Steven O'Dea and Matthew Hoysted a couple of years ago.

Just Super has not scored in his last seven trips to the races but as Sigvart has been putting the polish on in recent weeks, he is optimistic of a positive showing on Thursday.

“I think the horse will go well, he will race well,” he said.

“I have been really happy with him to be honest; he has been going nice.”

Local apprentice McKenzie Apel takes the ride on Thursday with her three kilogram allowance getting Just Super into the event on an absolute featherweight.

“For a one horse man to muck around with, even if he doesn’t win – he is rewarding, he is a nice horse to be around,” the returning trainer said of Just Super. 

“I really enjoy that time having one horse and enjoying life outside of that. Hopefully we can have a bit of luck with this bloke.”

Just Super was a regular Brisbane visitor during his three-year-old campaign where he ran well against top-liners such as Chinny Boom and Ekaterina.

Dating back to October of 2021, the Sigvart team were prolific winners in CQ.

The trainer prepared six winners from his last 14 starters before stepping back from training on a constant basis.

Just Super will be Sigvart’s first starter in a race since May of 2023.

After downscaling his stable, Sigvart has been working as a carer through the NDIS program, which he describes as a ‘rewarding’ vocation.

He trained on a full-time basis for around five years which he says was demanding.

The Sigvart yard peaked in the 2017-18 campaign with 24 winners, while striking at above 20 per cent.

With one galloper in his team at the moment, the 54-year-old says that is the balance he wants in his life.

“You do not mind getting out of bed for a good one,” Sigvart said.

“I always wanted to train, as my grandfather was a very good trainer, and in my previous stint, I had a bit of luck and enjoyed it.”

Sprinting mare Chezblack put the Sigvart barn up in lights in recent years as she won nine races and competed in black-type company late in her career.

Now long retired, Chezblack has helped the Rockhampton-based trainer get back into the industry through Just Super.

“The horse goes super, actually,” Sigvart said of Just Super.

“Most of the guys that are in him were actually in Chezblack who was a nice mare I had about four years ago. Those guys told me to go to the sales and find a horse, which is obviously did with this guy.

“He is a quiet horse that is well-mannered and his previous trainer said he might need some one-on-one time. So, I took him on and he is going great.”

Sigvart won a Mackay Lightning back in 2017 with I Am Boss while he also prepared Cleansing Ale who was a competitive galloper throughout Central and North Queensland.