For Neita, who only recently started training with her father, this marked her first dual role as a trainer, an achievement she was understandably excited about.
“I couldn’t get a doubles title as a junior driver, so I’m pretty happy that I managed it as a trainer,” she said.
The team’s first success of the evening came courtesy of Conrad H at the Hire A Venue At Cambridge Raceway Mobile Pace. With Brooke Wilkins in the sulky, the gelding settled into the one-one early in the 2200m ride, and the pair traveled smoothly all the way to the home bend, where they let loose and flew past their rivals to win by a neck.
Neita admitted that she didn’t expect him to be so sharp.
“I thought the fields they were in suited them down to the ground; in any case, I thought Conrad might have been a bit exaggerated, but he likes to surprise you.”
The stable did not have to wait long for win number two. Son of Patrick, who has been in great form since joining the Balle barn, recorded back-to-back wins when competing in the BetaVet Launches BetaBreathe Handicap Trot.
Driven by Harrison Orange, the gelding made a slow start from the front line and settled towards the back before gradually joining the pack with 1600 meters to go.
From there, the Dutch let him continue to build on his work, and once they got to their rivals in the final quarter, the race was quickly ended. Son Of Patrick stretched beautifully in the home straight and won easily by 1¾ lengths.
SON OF PATRICK REPLAY
Neita has developed a special soft spot for the trotter.
“I had a lot of confidence in Son Of Patrick, he hasn’t put a step wrong since he came to our stable and he is a real gentleman,” she said, “his confidence will only continue to rise. It’s always so exciting for him because he is absolutely my baby, I won’t let daddy touch him.”
Looking ahead, Conrad H will switch back to trotting as the summer grass track races approach.
“He did well on the grass last time and I would love to see him in a Country Cup final,” Neita said.
As for Son Of Patrick, the plan is to keep things simple.
“He’ll remain left-handed. He’s not the best when he’s right-handed and I don’t really want to damage his confidence by taking him to Auckland, so we’ll just leave him where he’s happy and go race by race.”
For full race results, click here
Through Jordyn Bublitz for Harness Racing New Zealand
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