Loyalist biggest winner for Baucke

Bruce Stewart Journalist

Southern Bred Southern Reared Loyalist (Bettor’s Delight) recorded a harness racing career highlight when he won the $106,070 Group Two Redcliffe Gold Cup last night.

“When he got out and got going it was a great run. Quite a thriller,” said Woodland’s breeder Steve Baucke.

The six year old was bred by Baucke and his neighbour David Sutherland.

“Loyalist’s original name was Zed Bee which are the letters on Dave’s helicopter.”

Canterbury trainer Brian Kerr bought him as a yearling and got him going before he was transferred to Greg and Nina Hope’s stable. He won four races for the Hopes, all at Rangiora, before he was sold to Australian Joe Conelly. The six year old is now trained by Jason Grimson and was driven in last night’s feature by Seaton Grima who’s been at the reins for all of his seven Australian wins.

Loyalist’s other major career win was in the Group Three Schweppes Christmas Gift Final at Menangle.

He’s out of the Art Major mare Loyal Arden which Baucke bought at the Mixed Age Sale at Karaka as a three year old, after she’d had a small number of starts For David Kaa. At her first start for Baucke Loyal Arden deadheated for second, a head away from the winner.

“She had a bit of a wind problem, so we sent her to stud.”

Loyalist was the mare’s first foal. She also left Mr Perfect (Bettor’s Delight) which won three races for Steve and Amanda Telfer. He then headed to Australia where he’s won another four races.

The mare’s next foal is maiden pacer Oh Mickey (Always B Miki) which is unplaced in twelve starts. Baucke also has a three year old Captaintreacherous filly out of the mare and recently sold a yearling colt by Sweet Lou out of Loyal Arden to Darren Keast. The mare is currently in foal to Rock N Roll Heaven.

Last night’s win was Baucke’s biggest as a breeder. As a trainer he’s won a Listed race at Addington with I’mallaboutthebase (Shadow Play).

I'mallaboutthebase with Sam Ottley and Steve Baucke

Loyalist is not the only horse he’s keeping an eye on in Australia.

Swell Time (A Rocknroll Dance) won four for the Woodlands trainer before being exported to Australia where she’s won another six races including four in a row. She now has a winning mile time of 1-53.9.

Swell Time

Lil Ripper (Bettor’s Delight) is another one of the Baucke breed flying the flag in Australia. From nine starts she’s won four including a Listed race. And Rockmyster (Rock N Roll Heaven) has won six of his thirteen starts in Western Australia.

Baucke has a handful of racing stock at home ready to get to the races and he says he quite likes Kensi (Sweet Lou – Citylight). She’s won two workouts and has been placed at both of her trials.

“In one of her trials she caused a false start so she didn’t qualify. I gave her a spell to settle her down but she’s back jogging now.”

Kensi (inside) winning at the Winton trials