Stuart McDonald Flys The WA Flag Proudly In NSW Rising Star Series
27 June, 2016
Harness
Stuart McDonald’s bid for the New South Wales Rising Stars championship fell agonisingly short at Menangle on Sunday, despite making a barnstorming finish.
Stuart had to overcome an unlucky start when two of his allocated drives were scratched, but he bounced back strongly after wins with A Life Under Fire and Stormont Czar.
In an eventful conclusion to the series, Stormont Czar was declared the winner of the race on protest, despite finishing second across the line behind, Jilliby Jagger.
James Grimson ran last on Du Vella, but the promising young driver had enough points in hand to continue his meteoric rise through the harness racing ranks.
Grimson, who claimed his maiden Group One success at Bathurst earlier in the year, said ‘it had been a great week, but he was lucky enough to drive nice horses’.
McDonald is considered one of Western Australia’s brightest young driving prospects, relishing his tenure under top mentor, Ross Oliveri, since crossing from New Zealand.
McDonald was exposed to Australia’s best drivers when he partnered the Oliveri-trained Our Blackbird in last year’s Inter Dominion final at Gloucester Park.
Jason Grimson |
83 |
Stuart McDonald |
78 |
Ellen Rixon |
77 |
Sam Ison |
75 |
Mitch Turnbull |
73 |
Brad Elder |
61 |
Tom Pay |
60 |
Martelle Maguire |
56 |
James Harding |
45 |
Ross Druitt |
29 |
Julio Santarelli