Shutterbug success

Husband and wife team Stephen and Suzanne Grace are having a lot of fun, and success, with improving harness racing mare Shutterbug.

The five-year-old Art Major mare has been ultra-consistent, not finishing further back than fifth in 40 of her last 43 starts, and scored her best win at Globe Derby on June 12 in the Schweppes Australia Pace (1800m).

Coming from gate one as a $6.90 chance, Shutterbug, driven by Stephen Grace, took the sit on the $2.60 favourite Three Queens which went to the front from gate three.

Three Queens looked sure of a win when driver Jayson Finniss sprinted up  over the last 400 metres but Shutterbug, taking advantage of the cutaway, sprinted through to claim a half head win in the smart mile rate of 1:57:9.

The Graces live at Parafield Gardens, a suburb adjacent to Globe Derby Park and stable their small team of three with veteran harness racing identity Don Thomas.

They are hobby participants with Suzanne, the trainer, having a full time job as a nurse, and Stephen, works part-time for a Gawler beekeeper and a thoroughbred enthusiast.

“I work full time as a nurse doing a night shift with a retirement home,” Suzanne said.

“After working all night I come home, have a bit of breakfast, work the horses, then go to bed before getting up to feed them, then off to work again. I love it.”

Stephen Grace has been involved in harness racing for most of his life, and Suzanne, since becoming involved with her husband more than 30 years ago.

Their relationship got off to a rocky start.

“Stephen was going to take me to the Barmera trots on our first date, and forgot to pick me up,” Suzanne laughed. “It was probably good that he did as he had a fall that day.”

The Graces lived in the Riverland area of South Australia for many years but when the Barmera track was closed, they moved to Parafield Gardens to be able to continue their involvement in the sport.

Suzanne said their best horse had been Casino Boy which won 13 races with 20 places and scored at Moonee Valley.

“That was probably our biggest thrill, and he also was horse of the year at Ouyen, but we are loving our time with Shutterbug at present.

“She just keeps improving and I love getting to drive her in her work, and just hand the reins to Stephen for races and trials.”

by Graham Fischer