Plenty of ‘Shenaniganz’ - but Zac has the last laugh

Popular Charlton harness racing horseman Zac Steenhuis might have landed a surprise winner at his home track last week – but the victory is coming with plenty of good-natured “feedback” from his mates.

Steenhuis dusted off the driving colours for the first time in more than 18 months and guided No Shenaniganz (Pastor Stephen) to victory at Charlton, a result that caught punters by surprise and left his fellow horsemen quick to pile on the jokes.

“Yes, I’ve been copping it. They’ve all been having some fun, but I can see the funny side of it,” he said.

One of four trainers based at the Charlton training centre, Steenhuis had the lightly-raced trotter engaged at last Friday afternoon’s (May 8) meeting.

“I originally nominated Herbie (James Herbertson) on the horse, but he got in touch to say he couldn’t take the drive,” Steenhuis said.

“He was able to take a few drives early on at Charlton, but then he had to hit the road because he had a book of four at Geelong that night, including one in the first at 6.30pm,” he said.

“I had a look at who might be available but, to be honest, they were already driving in our race.  So I decided I’d put myself on because I’d driven the horse in a few green trials as well as a proper trial at Bendigo.”

According to Steenhuis, that decision didn’t exactly fill punters with confidence.

“I’ve been told he went from a 5/1 chance to eventually pay $19! So that’s the basis of all the ‘stick’ that I’ve been getting,” he laughed.

“I’m not disagreeing, though, because Herbie is the best – and he did send me a text message congratulating me on the win!”

While the jokes have flowed freely, Steenhuis has shown over the years he’s more than capable in the sulky.

Steenhuis didn’t have a drive last season, but his win aboard No Shenaniganz gave him a perfect one-from-one driving strike rate this season, while in 2024 he produced two winners from just eight drives – a tidy 25 per cent return.

“I got a double with Victory George and Alluring Tyron at Mount Gambier that season, which was great. But it was just the way it worked out not having a drive last season. I enjoy it but there’s others who do the job better,” he said.

Steenhuis had No Shenaniganz away quickly from the mobile in the Heenan’s Newsagency Maiden Trot.

“He come out really quick, but wanted to run about a bit. But he switched on when Nick Youngson moved around to race outside us with Littler,” Steenhuis said.

“I tried to keep him bowling along while he was concentrating and I was sort of waiting for them to come at us.  It really was a bit unexpected, but we were so happy to get a winner for Gavan (Holt), who lives down the road at Wedderburn.

“With the win came a VicBred bonus, so that was awesome. Gavan has been pouring money into the sport, buying at least two horses at the yearling sales over the past five or six years.

“He just loves the square-gaiters. He mucks around with the young ones and jogs them up at his property.

“After the win, we went back to the stables and fed up before heading back to the trotting track for a few celebration drinks with Gavan and others.”

Steenhuis said the stable has increasingly focused on younger horses.

“We’ve got about six in work but we’ve moved more to doing youngsters and Brave Art,  who is a three-year-old, would probably be our oldest horse in the stable,” he said.

Steenhuis and partner Brittany moved to Charlton two years ago and have quickly become an established part of the local harness racing scene.

As a driver, Steenhuis has now landed 46 winners, while as a trainer he has enjoyed outstanding success with 130 victories, highlighted by a Group One triumph with former smart trotter Jerichos Trumpet, who won nine races and was placed another 12 times for almost $90,000 in prizemoney.

And while he’s currently on a winning roll, Steenhuis will take the reins behind Brave Art at Mildura tomorrow night, where the gelding is quoted at 10/1 in pre-post markets.

Check the Mildura fields here: 

Hoofnote: Herbertson’s dash to Geelong proved worthwhile when he partnered Kenny’s Son (Majestic Son) to victory for trainer Brent Lilley in the Greg Sugars Memorial Trot. Sugars, who died in his sleep 12 months ago aged just 40, was not only an idol to Herbertson, but also a best mate and mentor.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink