Seventeen -year -old Reinsman Matthew Atkinson is the newest fresh face to participate in the list of Harness Racing winners and is his first victory in The Sulky at Goulburn on Tuesday (September 2).
Atkinson, who works full-time alongside his father Dean in the bungonia building of the family near Goulburn, produced a perfectly rated urge to score on consistent flag colors (Vincent) at the days of industrial pace.
“I didn’t really think it would take as long as it did,” said Atkinson about his breakthrough at start number 25.
‘Not in the beginning, anyway. But it is a bit harder than you think once you get there! The tests are much slower than the races and the other drivers don’t give you anywhere near so much space.
“I couldn’t really believe it when we crossed the line – there is no better feeling. It was unreal, but I was actually a bit shock.”
Harness racing runs deep in the Atkinson family. Dean has been training since he was 16, while Matthew’s grandfather Barry Thornton was also a trainer. Now Matthew has joined them when continuing the tradition.
“I actually thought the horses were pretty boring when I was a child – I was more interested in Footy,” he said.
“One day when I was about 12 or 13, I went back and got into the cart and worked one, and I have enjoyed it since then,” he said.
“Dad has trained them almost all his life. He always wanted me to racing Harnas or Footy and I chose Harnasraces. I finished at school a few months ago to come and work full-time for Dad.”
The family works from a 40-hectare site with a track of 600 meters and the Atkinson Equine Water Walker facility. Matthew’s sister Mackenzie and brother Mitchell also help in the family business at the weekend.
“We had the Water Walker for about a year. We think it has made a huge difference for the horses, in terms of reliability, and to keep them fresh after hard runs or in their campaign.”
Vlassy colors had threatened to break through after a series of fair runs. But on Tuesday after sinking one-out and two-backs, before he peeled into the back, he clearly walked in the last phases to win with three meters.
“I have had a bit of to do with him, but he is a bit of a nervous type and I would not have said before he was one of my favorites – but he is now!” Matthew laughed.
“When we got forward, he just pulled up a little and I thought, oh, you’re not going to do this to me, hey? But he left the house upright.”
The Atkinsons currently have 17 working, with about 10 racing and Dean enjoys a strong season with 18 victories and 23 placements of 87 starters.
“We don’t train as much as the larger stables, and every winner counts for people like us. We are only barriers, so for us every victory is for us,” he said.
“We have a few great owners and things are going well. Rick Bayliss has been unreal for us, and Brian Patrick has helped dad since he received his driver’s license. They are happy that I am also grateful to Drives, for which I am very grateful.”
By Terry Walk For Harnesslink
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