Neilson/Wilson Training partnership produces a double at Globe
The successful training partnership of Jill Neilson and Katie Wilson produced a double on the seven-race program at Globe Derby Park last Saturday.
Ruthless Offender produced a tough performance to make it two wins in a row in the Pacing For Pink In May Pace (1800m), the opening event, then later in the night, Just Mocha proved too strong for her rivals in the McGrath Foundation Pace (1800m).
Neilson and Wilson began their partnership in 2023, and in just over three years, came up with their 100th win last month striking at a rate of nearly a winner a week.
Ruthless Offender ($2.80 fav) sat parked for much of the race before grabbing a half head win from Don Capitano ($3) with Boulder City ($8), 5-1/2 metres away third.
The winner was driven by Ryan Hryhorec who is forming a strong association with the four-year-old.
“Ryan is very hard to book to drive because he has so many horses himself,” Neilson said.
“But we were able to secure him back in November last year and he had a win first up here at Globe Derby Park.
“Ryan now has had seven drives on Ruthless Offender for four wins and two seconds. If it ain’t broke, don’t try and fix it is our philosophy.
“He likes the horse and says he is still improving.
“Ruthless Offender is a bit ‘special.’
“At home he won’t work by himself and can sometimes be hard to get out onto the training track.
“Even though he is a gelding he has a lot of coltish behaviour and let’s you know he believes he is charge and is happy to head butt you if you get too close.
“But he and Ryan get on so well so whenever we can Katie and I will look to book him.”
Ruthless Offender was bred by noted horseman Brett Lowe but even he had his issues with the headstrong four-year-old.
The horse was sent to the property of SA BOTRA chair Lee-Ann Pangrazio for a spell, and she has now taken over ownership with Lowe’s mother Susan.
Ruthless Offender now has seven wins and nine placings from just 31 starts.
The double for the Neilson-Wilson partnership came up with Just Mocha which outstayed her rivals in the McGrath Foundation Pace (1800m).
Driver Katie Wilson made a mid-race move to go around and sit parked which proved to be a winning decision with Just Mocha ($8) drawing clear to win by two metres from Zany Girl ($2.20) with Paradigm ($41), a metre away third.
Just Mocha was bred and is owned by Jill Neilson with her mother Elma West who is now in her 90s.
The five-year-old mare has now won six races.
Angle Vale trainer Dean Girardi’s best season continued with a win by Don Arthur in the Ray White Commercial Adelaide Pace (2230m).
Bringing up a driving double for 2025 Jim Hurley Medallist (his 5th win), Ryan Hryhorec, Don Arthur ($2.60 fav) scored by four metres from Heez A Vibe ($3.90) with Maharajah ($2.90), 1-1/2 metres away third.
Girardi is currently second on the SA Trainers premiership with 16 wins.
“I don’t see myself staying there for too long,” Girardi said.
“I only have a small team, and have had a great season so far, but am realistic that it can’t keep going. Other trainers with bigger teams will eventually catch me.”
Trainer Reece Moore’s success with older horses continued with 10-year-old Neds Beach taking out the Northside Trophies Pace (1800m).
A $12 chance, Neds Beach sat parked and proved too strong for Oakhay ($1.75 fav) winning by a half neck with Don’t Tell Alice ($10), 13 metres away third.
Moore, 38, only has a small team in work but most are of ‘mature’ age, but he consistently is able to find the winner’s stall.
Deuce Coupe was heavily backed from $2.20 into $1.55 favourite and landed the cash in the Kevin & Kay Seymour Pace (1800m).
Trained by Frank Pullicino, and driven by his wife Gaita, Deuce Coupe led throughout from gate one to score by a beck from Starzinhereyes ($11) with Vatican Green ($7) a metre away third.
- Story Graham Fischer
- photo Walter Bulyga