Bernie’s Ego scored a popular victory at Te Aroha on Sunday when taking out the Bottle O Maiden (1150m) for trainer and part-owner Frank Neill.
The Te Awamutu horseman had been pleased with the eight-year-old son of Ego heading into the weekend, but wasn’t confident of a positive result over the short trip, which was shared by punters, who let him drift out to $41.80 at the jump.
However, Bernie’s Ego belied those odds when storming home late out wide in the hands of apprentice jockey Joe Nishizuka to score by three-quarters of a length over Eligius, much to the delight of Neill.
“I knew he was well, but I didn’t think he would win over that distance,” he said.
“He proved what I thought he had all the way along. He has shown a bit of talent, but I have never been able to get it out of him properly.”
A homebred, Neill has taken his time with the gelding, who had a hiatus from racing after making his debut three years ago, and Neill is delighted his patience has paid off.
“He bled, so he had 12 months off,” Neill said. “He is not a big horse, but he has got a big stride on him. It was great to get the win yesterday.”
Neill is kept busy with his job as the Waipa track manager, but enjoys maintaining a hands-on role with horses, something he has enjoyed since his youth.
“My father had a horse when he went sharemilking and I have been on a horse since I was in nappies,” he said.
“I rode track work for the old man and held an amateur (jockey) licence for a little while but only had the one race ride. I enjoyed being on the back of a horse.
“I was a fitter, welder, fabricator and I always had a horse, then the job of track manager was offered to me at Waipa and I accepted it and I have been here for five years.”
Sunday’s victory was Neill’s seventh career win, and first since the 2017/18 season, with Bernie’s Ego’s half-brother Bransome giving Neill the majority of those wins.
“I bred him, and he is a half-brother to Bransome that ran around a couple of years before him,” Neill said. “Bransome had crook feet and getting three wins in a row with him was very rewarding.”
With Bernie’s Ego’s maiden win now under his belt, Neill is hoping he can quickly add to his tally.
“We might go to Tauranga in a fortnight, depending on the track,” he said.