Roulston the master of his own Destiny
By Peter Wharton
Charing Cross grain representative and hobby breeder Steve Roulston and his wife Natalie showed astute judgement when they purchased the Dream Vacation mare Sueno for a modest $6,000 from National Bloodstock a decade ago.
Sueno with Steve and Natalie Roulston
Her first foal is the Pegasus Spur gelding Del’s Destiny, the winner of nine races in Victoria to date and more than $75,000 in stakes.
The eight-year-old put an exclamation mark on his career when he produced a barnstorming finish from second last to down a handy field at Melton on February 15. He looks certain to take a much tighter mark.
“We bought Sueno as a weanling from Dave Phillips when National Bloodstock were closing down,” Steve said.
“She won only one race but she had so much ability. However, she was a nervy mare who would often run her race in the float prior to racing.”
Del’s Destiny as a yearling
Del’s Destiny was knocked down to Victorian trainer Matty Craven for $12,000 at the National Yearling Sale at Christchurch in 2018.
“He was broken in here before being shipped to Australia,” Steve said.
Del’s Destiny is the only winner from four foals of racing age left by Sueno.
“She had a lovely filly by Creatine who unfortunately broke a shoulder in the paddock,” he said.
Another of her progeny, Madam Patsy, had had three starts and is showing a deal of promise, while the three-year-old Amistozo and the two-year-old All At Once have both been broken in.
The Roulston’s sold a Father Patrick colt out of Sueno named The Bishop for $24,000 at the recent NZ Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Christchurch.
Sueno with Del’s Destiny as a foal
“We gifted Sueno to two close friends to use as a surrogate mother last year,” Steve said.
Steve and Natalie live on a 10 hectare property at Charing Cross, 40 kilometres west of Christchurch.
“We don’t have any broodmares here at the moment. I am too busy with my job,” he said.
“When I retire I plan to get back into the training and breeding.
“The only mares we have got are Amistozo (by Creatine) and Golden Flyer, a Gold Ace half-sister to the Menangle and Albion Park winner American Flyer.”
The couple are certainly no strangers to success at the top level in harness racing.
They bred, owned and trained the grand Fake Left stayer Bob’s Blue Boy, a winner of 12 races and $263,338 in stakes. Among his successes were the Hannon Memorial and the Geelong, Methven and Westport Cups and a heat of the Inter Dominion.
Dels Destiny winning at Melton Park Photo (C): Stuart McCormick
“He finished fourth in the New Zealand and Auckland Cups and eighth in the Hunter Cup,” Steve said.
“We bought his dam for $300 off a work colleague and the first foal she had was Bob’s Blue Boy.”
Steve actually began his association with the light harness sport about 40 years ago.
“My first venture into harness racing was a wee trotter called Toppano,” he said.
“I have always loved the sport.”
