25 November 2020 | HRNSW MEDIA
THE Rixon family of Pheasants Nest certainly epitomise why harness racing is regarded as a great family sport.
Peter and Cindy were both blessed to have wonderful mentors to guide them. Peter with his father Henry and Cindy working alongside her famous father Tony Turnbull and her talented brothers Greg, Steve, and C.
Cindy was a very capable driver and won a multitude of races and premierships throughout the Western District before she met and married Peter, settling into life together living south of Sydney and starting a family.
Fast forward two decades and it is no surprise that all three of their children, Ellen (21) and twins Will and Hannah (19) have followed in their parents footsteps with each starting to make names for themselves in a sport in which they are regarded as “racing royalty”.
And it was a very proud Peter and Cindy who watched on at Canberra on Monday night to see their children fight out the finish of the final race to make it an all Rixon Trifecta.
Western District racegoers would quickly recall that Cindy achieved the same feat on numerous occasions, battling out races against her brothers.
But it was the girls that came away with bragging rights over their brother Will as they quinellaed the race aboard horses trained by their father Peter.
Hannah drove a very patient race to win aboard Fear The Eagle, which is owned by her mother, sitting behind Ellen who led with Southern Burgundy while Will sat outside them aboard Our Ultimate Katie.
“Yeah it was pretty exciting, even though I had to play second fiddle to my sisters,” said Will when he was asked to comment about the family achievement.
Not one to dwell, Will quickly turned his attention to discussing his chances at Penrith on Thursday night where he has three drives.
“I am driving two for Dad and both look to have really good chances of winning,” he said.
“Gigi Bob went enormous when she won at Penrith last week, she had to work hard and posted a fast 1:57.5. I am hoping from gate four she will not have to work so hard. I think she will be hard to beat.”
“Oursouthernstar is a lovely filly that won well at Bathurst three starts back and if she runs up to that effort, she will go close to winning again.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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