22 December 2017
GOULBURN PREVIEW | BY Amanda_Rando
WITH the goal of driving half a century of winners in his freshman year reinsman Will Rixon looks as though he will achieve that.
The soon-to-be 17-year-old was sitting on 47 wins at the time of writing following his success on the long-priced$39 winner Goodtime Slater at Penrith last Thursday night.
“It was a nice surprise but he was over the odds, the horse has been in good form,” Rixon said.
“I started driving on January 12, so if I can get 50 wins in my first year that will be a great result.”
In the New Year, Rixon has decided to focus all of his energy on his driving.
“I was doing a carpentry apprenticeship with Dad (Peter Rixon) but I’m finishing up so next year I can be full-time with the horses.
“I’m really enjoying driving and working with the horses and hopefully it all works out.”
Rixon has already had over 400 drives and following his 47th win, he has been busy driving all across the state.
From Bankstown on Friday and then Maitland on Saturday night, Rixon finds himself at Goulburn on Sunday with a strong book of drives.
This includes Rixon’s first drive on the Scott Hewitt-trained pacer Sand Blaster in race four (1710m).
“I’m really looking forward to driving this horse, I’ve never driven him before,” Rixon said.
“He’s a really nice horse, he went well last start and is probably my best drive of the day.”
Rixon’s first drive of the afternoon, however, is on the Shane Rabbets-trained Movin Mountains in race two (1710m).
“I’ve driven this mare once before and she finished second,” Rixon said.
“She is up against higher graded horses which makes it hard but should get a nice run drawn barrier one.”
In the following race Rixon elected to drive Lotta Laughs which is trained by his father.
“She’s been trialling nicely,” Rixon said.
“She ran a good trial at Menangle and then won an unofficial trial at Goulburn and should go well first up.”
Rixon will then end the meeting driving Don Kee in race five (1710m) and Art I Special in race six (1710m).
“Don Kee’s run at Penrith on Thursday was better than what it first appeared and he should be better for the run,” Rixon said.
“As for Art I Special he has been a bit disappointing but his last two runs have been his best and unfortunately he has drawn wide in six so will just need a bit of luck from there.”
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 33 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by a Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
To arrange an interview or for further information please contact:
AMANDA RANDO | MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
(02) 9722 6600 • arando@hrnsw.com.au • @Amanda_Rando