Stuart hungry for success in Central West

By Jordan Gerrans

Apprentice jockey Caine Stuart can see plenty of opportunities in the Central West of Queensland and is eager to build momentum in his riding career in the region.

The lightweight jockey has ridden occasionally in the Sunshine State during earlier stints of his apprenticeship but is set to base himself out of Barcaldine going forward.

The 25-year-old will team up with top local conditioner Toni Schofield.

The new combination of Schofield and Stuart grabbed their first winner together on Saturday at Longreach when Smashing Rosie put on a demolition job in the last race of the program.

The daughter of Brave Smash had not won since the middle of May and apprentice Stuart was thrilled to deliver the Schofield camp a victory only weeks after joining the stable.

“It panned out pretty perfect, really,” he said of the race.

“I wanted to be midfield, so I sat one off the fence with cover. 

"And, then at the 600 metre mark, I just peeled her out, so I could get out and get clear.

“And, on the home turn, I just let her keep rolling. Then down the straight, I just let her go.

“I didn't know how far I was in front. I never looked back. And, she won by more than five lengths, so it was a very big win.

“So, it was a very special win. 

"Especially for it to be my first winner for the Schofield stable, who so far has been very, very good to me. I cannot thank them enough.”

Stuart has taken up a loan period with the Schofield stable, which he is hopeful of extending if all goes to plan.

As well as his riding exploits, Stuart has a long history of competing in judo.

The voice of racing in the Central West, Andrew Watts, made special mention of the jockey’s judo exploits as Smashing Rosie approached the winning post on Saturday.

The Schofield stable has been a powerful one over the last few years, tallying 65 winners in the 2025-26 campaign.

They also prepared 20 or more winners in each of the three prior seasons.

After fellow apprentice Maddie Mankelow found success at Barcaldine with the Schofield barn over the last few campaigns, Stuart is hopeful he can follow suit.

“I’m looking to be very successful and hopefully I can do that here with the Schofield team,” he said.

“I want to be successful, as successful as I can be.

“I just want to get winners. It was tough where I was riding down south to get winners, but I have had some good mentors from other trainers to jockeys, as well.

“I have been given an opportunity with a top stable and I couldn’t knock it back.

“I’m thankful for the opportunities they have given me so far.”

Stuart began his riding career on the Northern Rivers of New South Wales before having stints at Dubbo and Wagga Wagga.

He collected a winning double at Cunnamulla and District Diggers' Race Club earlier this month before adding his maiden Longreach triumph to his record.

He rode his maiden career winner at Roma in August of 2024. 

Stuart heads to Aramac this Saturday for rides before embarking on a campaign to the Birdsville carnival, an event he is keen to be involved with for the first time in his career.

“I’m really looking forward to it. It is most people’s dream to ride at Birdsville, so I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

"I have great mentors in Micheal Beattie and John Kissick and I dedicated my winners from Cunnamulla to my late judo coach."