Maltese born trainer Daniel Neagoe is hoping for a fairytale ending to Sunday by having one of his horses deliver him his first Group One win.
The 23-year-old hopes he and driver David Morris can combine to earn a big payday in the Pepper Tree Farm NSW Breeders Challenge finals at Tabcorp Park Menangle.
Based at Sloys Harness Racing Stables at Cobbitty, Neagoe has high hopes Luda can figure in the finish of the $100,000 four-year-old mares’ final and he also has a dual-pronged assault on the $100,000 four-year-old Entires and Geldings race with My General Lee and Handsome Major.
Neagoe, who has 20 horses in work, has had no luck with the barrier draws with My General Lee and Luda both drawing the widest gate in their respective finals.
“My General Lee has to be my better chance in the race, but I’m happy with Handsome Major too, because I thought he was flat in his last race, but he still finished really well,’’ Neagoe said.
“He’s (My General Lee) is improving the older he gets.
“He ran a very good race on Saturday; I’m very impressed with him and he’s pulled up really well.
“The wide barrier draw doesn’t help, but saying that, all the good horses are starting from out wide.
“It’ll be up to the driver on the day.’’
Luda hasn’t raced since her last start at Penrith three weeks ago, but a recent outing to Menangle has given her a pipe-opener.
“I gave her a trial on Tuesday to keep her on her toes,’’ Neagoe said.
“I wanted to freshen her up because I couldn’t find any races for her.
“She wants to run like a rocket.’’
Originally from Bugibba, one of Malta’s largest seaside resorts, which is situated in the country’s north-east, Neagoe caught the harness racing bug when he visited Australia as a youngster.
“I came here on holiday from Malta when I was seven-years-old and fell in love with horses,’’ he said.
“I came back to live here when I was 16.
“About one-and-a-half years ago I was introduced to the Sloys and when I was offered the job I’ve been up here ever since.’’
On his return to Australia as a teenager, Neagoe helped train gallopers in Melbourne with Danny O’Brien and Simon Zahra before entering into the world of harness racing.
This week will be the biggest stage Neagoe has encountered during his training career, but he is keen to get to the track on Sunday.
“I haven’t been thinking about the finals because I just want to stick to my normal schedule and not change too much,’’ he said.
“But I’m sure the day before, I won’t be able to sleep and I’ll be jumping out of my skin on Sunday when the races start.
“Hopefully the little boy from Malta can win a Group One – that would be a fantastic dream come true.’’
Neagoe will also run Hot Shot Woman in the two year old fillies final and Miss Rocknroll in the three year old fillies final.
• Picture and story by Sean Cunningham/National Trot Guide
