News

Neeson trounces rivals in Hawkesbury Guineas

2nd May 2010

Racenet - Clinton Payne - Saturday, 1 May 2010

The Joe Pride-trained Neeson will be set for a shot in the Epsom Handicap during the spring after an emphatic win in the $100,000 Listed Blacktown Workers Hawkesbury Guineas (1300m) in front of a crowd of 13,275.

Pride said he would resist the temptation of a Brisbane campaign or a tilt at the Scone Cup with Neeson to head off to the paddock.

“I’ve tortured myself but I’m sure I’m doing the right thing,” Pride said. “I just want to look after him.

“You might say, ok, they only get one chance to run in a Stradbroke as a three-year-old but I think there are bigger things to come for him.

“If I bottom him out as a three-year-old, there won’t be a horse next year.

“I want to give the horse a rest and the Epsom Handicap is his target next prep.

"When you look at him he’s not there physically but when he comes back as a four-year-old he’ll be up to Group I standard.”

Neeson led all the way and left his rivals in his wake at the top of the straight before defeating Khas Kura by 4-1/2 lengths with All Legal back in third.

The win was the first feature race success for winning jockey Peter Robl since returning from a three-month layoff caused by a broken collarbone.

Robl said the win was extremely memorable for the veteran rider as Pride has been one of his longest Sydney-based supporters.

“It’s good to ride a good winner for Joe because he was actually putting me on before I shifted to Sydney,” Robl said. “He’s a good horse this bloke.

“I won on him last prep I knew he was on his way to being a very good horse and it was very frustrating watching him do it while I was sidelined.

“When I gave him a squeeze today he let down beautifully and it was all over.”