By Matt Markham
Michelle Neilson knows she’s getting an opportunity that most young drivers only dream of tonight at Addington.
So she’s planning to make the most of it.
The former winner of the New Zealand Junior Drivers’ Championship winner, Neilson is splitting her working days at All Stars Racing Stable these days between the work track and the office as she has recently taken on a roll within the leading operation as stable manager.
“It’s been a little bit different for me,” Neilson said of the change.
“But I’m enjoying it and the fact I can still get out there and do some of the hands on stuff is good to break it all up.”
While her appearances in the sulky in recent months have been few and far between, the desire is still there to get out and do the business on the track when required.
And tonight she is required.
With racing in Auckland and Addington, drivers are a little stretched between the two meetings.
Purdon has elected to stay in Christchurch to drive boom filly, Dream About Me and exciting two-year-old More The Better while Neilson has picked up the drives on Golden Goddess and Pacing Major as well as two-year-old, Serengeti.
“It’s a great opportunity to drive three very nice horses, especially Golden Goddess and Pacing Major.
“They are two very good horses, and while both have their challenges this week, I’m excited to be driving them.”
Golden Goddess’ challenge is quite simple. She’s got to be the one to end the unbeaten streak of Dream About Me in the Nevele R Fillies heat.
“It’s probably a big ask, but she has come up good and felt good in work this week.”
The good thing is that she has already qualified for the final, so there’s not as much pressure.
Pacing Major will start from one on the second row in his heat of the Sires’ Stakes.
He follows out The Lone Ranger, which might not end up being the worst outcome.
“We will be dictated by what happens early and probably need a fair bit of luck.
“But he’s a super wee horse and good enough to win it if things go his way.”
Neilson’s third drive of the night, Serengeti, might be the one horse to slip under the guard tonight.
The Art Major gelding has drawn the outside of the second row over 1950m, so the challenge is great but his run for second last time out was full of merit.
“He just keeps getting better and better and if things fell his way he could go close too I think.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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