With Grafton races programmed for Thursday it is time to see just how our local trainers have been travelling over the past few meetings.
Leading trainer John Shelton returned to the winners circle at Ballina on Friday when the locally owned Fire Up Bruce was on his best behaviour to score a solid win in the BM 58 1300m.
Fire Up Bruce has been in the Shelton yard for some time winning at his first start for the stable back in June 22. He was also successful for his original owners in mid 2023 before he was offered for sale online in September last year.
Shelton of the view that there were more wins instore for the gelding put together a syndicate of stable followers to ensure Fire Up Bruce stated at CRJC Lodge.
It has not been all smooth sailing with Fire Up Bruce being scratched at the gates on Glen Innes Cup day before taking two trials before being permitted back at the races.
All of those issues were forgotten on Friday when Bruce went straight to the top under the guidance of Ben Looker and it was essentially game over from the time he found the front simply running his rivals off their feet to score a very easy win.
