By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
New South Wales trainer, Peter Neilson, has only had two Redcliffe starters since arriving from Maitland late last month – and both saluted the judge at the Thursday meeting on April 6.
The 62-year-old, who has been campaigning horses off and on in Queensland for more than 30 years, won with Raworth Girl in race one and Colby Art in race five. Neilson’s Group-One winning son, Mathew, did the driving.
Luke and Clare Dolling own Raworth Girl, while Neilson and his wife Cheryl share in the ownership of Colby Art with Kym McWhirter and Kristy Pike.
Raworth Girl (2:00.3), a 3-year-old Well Said filly, was having her first start for Neilson after an eighth, a fifth, and a seventh for Victorian trainer Rod Lakey.
“She last raced for Rod in April last year, and then she won two trials for me at Maitland and Newcastle in September, and then won again at the Newcastle Trials (March 22) before I brought her up here,” Neilson said.
He said Colby Art (1:56.2), a 6-year-old Betterthancheddar gelding, had now won three of his 44 starts and placed in 17 others ($34,390) since he made his debut at Cobram in February 2013.
“He’s just a little horse, who should win a few more – without being a superstar. He was also originally from Victoria.
“I got him in August last year and won with him later that month and then again in September. Both of those two other wins were at Newcastle. It was pleasing for him to win first-up at Redcliffe.
“My horses seem to like the track and have no problems with the corners. I’ve won a few races here over the years, and it’s always satisfying to win a double, no matter where it is,” Neilson said.
Neilson is staying with son in Hatton Vale. He said he enjoyed coming to Queensland, but it wasn’t all about holidaying.
“I’m not sure when we will be going home at this stage. While I’m here my horses are here to win. I’ve got Lochinvar Jewells lining up in the 2-Year-Old Gold race at Albion Park next week and I’m looking forward to that.
“She’s a lovely Bling It On filly who has won and placed in her only two starts so far at Albion Park (March 28 and April 4),” Neilson said.
Born in Newcastle and educated at Glendale Technology High School, Neilson wasn’t born into a harness racing family, but his wife, Cheryl was.
“My wife’s father, Claude, trained horses and her family were involved, but I broke the mold as far as my family goes. I used to help out a horseman named Col Evans back home and I liked it so much I carried on after school. He taught me everything I knew.
“And here I am more than 40 years later and still training and breaking in standardbreds. It’s something that’s in my blood, and I’m proud that two of my children have followed me into the sport,” Neilson said.
Neilson said he couldn’t remember his first training and driving victories, but did remember steering and conditioning More Mel to win the first race on the current Newcastle track when it was opened several decades ago.
He has trained 211 winners from 1701 starters and placed 361 times for $649,551 since the 1982-83 season.. He has had two Group One starters, but is yet to nail a Group triumph.
“I think Double Identity (two wins from 14 starts – 51 all-up) on raw ability would be the best horse I’ve trained, followed by Its Allabout Alice (19 wins and $117,372),” Neilson said.
“More Mel is right up there as well. He won several races at Harold Park,” he added.
Neilson’s oldest daughter Jennifer is not involved in the sport, but Michelle (64 wins (35 in NZ) and $492,563), is like her older brother Mathew (2,219 career wins (two G1s) – $10.9m) – a quality driver, who is currently holding the Neilson fort back with Guy Chapple
Neilson said Chapple was his regular pilot and he helped out with get Raworth Girl and lochinvar Jewells – them at the trials.
Apart from being the only trainer to have held a license in all three codes, Neilson once trained a thoroughbred, a pacing and a greyhound winner on the same day.
“I had winners at Broadmeadow (Newcastle) horses and Taree dogs on a Saturday afternoon and on the same night won a race at Newcastle trots,” he said.
“I always had ponies as a kid and at 14 I began training pacers at Maitland. A few years later I was training pacers and thoroughbreds but added greyhounds to my interest around 30-odd years ago.
“When I took up training greyhounds, Matthew would exercise them before he went to school, but later he gravitated into the harness racing business,” said Neilson, who still trains greyhounds.
Neilson said he enjoyed coming to Redcliffe.
“It’s nice on the Peninsula and like I said earlier my horses seem to go all alright there. They have no problems handling the track, and I’ll keep coming back.
“The people are friendly and the racing is good. I’ll keep coming back,” Neilson said.
He then paid a tribute to his wife Cheryl, whom he said was the rock of the Neilson Stable and Kennel.
“There would be no racing with Cheryl. I just work the horses, but Cheryl makes the business tick. I’m also grateful to all three of my children. I’m very proud of them all,” Neilson said.
The Peter Neilson trained and Mathew Neilson driven Colby Art notches up his third career win with his first look at Redcliffe Paceway last Thursday. Here the 6yo gelding gets up to win by a head.
