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He has to be one of the best stories going around the NSW back country.
Aussie Bob was destined for dog meat a year ago. Broken by drought and running ragged out of Cunnamulla, Queensland, for 10 back of the field finishes, the boy affectionately known as Bob battled for a second last at Enngonia last September before the call to his owners in deep down in South Australia was made.
The choice Bryan and Crissina Littlely had was to take Bob in as a “pony club” horse for daughter Mahli or he was off to the doggers.
Bob made it to his new home with other rescued Outback horses thanks to a string of help from NSW country trainers including Cobar’s Alan Prisk and Menindee trainer Wayne Marsden.
He’s been pretty amazing. He gives everything he has at every run and he’s got plenty of support in Broken Hill and around the district which has been fantastic to see.
- Heidi Smith
But rather than it become a pony club horse, the Littlelys found Broken Hill trainer Heidi Smith was to give Bob another chance on the track.
The results have been nothing short of extraordinary with Smith and husband Jack Maloney turning Bob the underdog instantly into a contender.
From its first start back at the popular St Patrick’s Day Races in March, Aussie Bob,showed what a touch of faith can do, winning by more than nine lengths.
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Along with that win, and another nine starts, Bob has stunned all with another four wins and three seconds including a track record on Broken Hill’s Silver City Cup meeting at the end of October and a win in the 1200m Balranald Spring Cup.
“He’s been pretty amazing. He gives everything he has at every run and he’s got plenty of support in Broken Hill and around the district which has been fantastic to see,’’ Smith said.
Aussie Bob has won in TAB meetings at Port Augusta and Mildura and joined a host of horses under trainers in Western NSW to show the strength of the racing industry in those outback regions.
“We have many really good trainers out our way and some very good horses but the thing that makes it all work is the community we have in the industry and around our city,’’ Smith said.
“It is the mateship and support, and some good and healthy competition among the stables across the Outback NSW area that make this game a lot of fun.’’
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