25 June 2015
Rookie trainer Daniel Neagoe had his first runner in a race on April 24, just over two months ago. The 23-year old is at the helm of one of the best bred stables in the state. The Xerri family, through its Sloys Company injects sizeable amounts of money into the industry each year and Neagoe is hoping to win a Pepper Tree Farm NSW Breeders Challenge event this Sunday.
If Neagoe can prepare a Gr. 1 winner this weekend at Tabcorp Park Menangle he will become the sixth youngest trainer in Australia to do so. Only Peter Morris Jnr, Mark Reed, Adam Kelly, Luke McCarthy and Travers Neilson have achieved the feat younger.
“To be in charge of the Sloys team is a very good experience for a person my age, I’d like to say thanks to Tony, the owner, because not many people are going to give someone who is only 23 the horses that I’ve got,” Neagoe said.
“There is a lot of money involved and it is a high pressure job, in the past if you don’t produce well, you know what happens and I’m definitely being kept on my toes.”
Neagoe’s best chances of winning a feature event looks to be in the four year old divisions with My General Lee in the male section while Luda will represent the stable against the mares. My General Lee produced a career best performance last weekend when winning his semi final.
“I thought we were in trouble at one stage, I did tell David (Morris driver) Theartofconfusion might get to the front and look to sneak away so you will have to keep an eye on where he goes.”
“Last year Rob (Xerri former Sloys trainer) didn’t have a lot of luck with him, he’s always performed well but his luck has changed this year, he was very impressive last Saturday night and importantly he pulled up very well but I know it will be harder again this Sunday.”
Luda’s preparation was interrupted a fortnight ago when her Breeders Challenge Prelude was abandoned midrace after Lauren Panella’s serious fall.
“The no race upset our campaign, I worked her last Saturday and she wanted to go like a rocket so I decided to trial her at Menangle on Tuesday to keep her on her toes.”
Luda finished third in the trial and recorded a personal mile rate of 1:58.2.
Neagoe confirmed he is working very hard and a win on Sunday would cap off a remarkable year.
“I barely get enough sleep, we’re a bit understaffed at the moment and we have 20 horses in work but slowly the results are making it all worthwhile.”
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 31 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
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To arrange an interview or for further information please contact:
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Name:
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Greg Hayes
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Position:
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Media Manager
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Phone:
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(02) 9722 6600
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Email:
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ghayes@hrnsw.com.au
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