IN THE midst of troubling times for local participants, Jill Neilson provided a touching reminder of the essence of harness racing following her victory last night.
Making the long journey to Port Pirie, Neilson was filled with emotion after Just Cappy captured a Southern Cross heat.
Neilson’s overwhelming sense of pride and joy stems from the colours driver Scott Forby wore while partnering Just Cappy.
The silks, which have been dormant for “about 30 years”, have been carried to glory by stars such as Adios Court, Deep Court and Cassius Court.
“The colours my grandparents (Flo and Wart Helps) used had been sitting there for about 30 years in a draw,” Neilson explained.
“My mum (Elma West) registers them every year but they haven’t been worn for a while.
“I just felt like this was the right horse to use them again so I snuck them out without mum knowing.
“Mum, who is 84, bred and owns him with me and she made the trip to Port Pirie to watch him and it was very sentimental.
“It was just so good to see the joy on mum’s face and that’s worth more than the prize money or the time it takes to get there and back!”
Beginning quickly to lead from barrier three, Just Cappy was never seriously challenged on his way to a three-and-a-half metre win from Son Of Rayson, with Whatabro a nose away third.
“He is still learning as he goes along but there is a lot to like about him,” Neilson said. “Cassius Court winning the Mildura Cup in 1974 is about the last time the colours won a feature and it would be a dream if they can do it again in next week’s Final.”
Registering his second win from four starts, the son of Courage Under Fire covered the mile in 1:59.8, with his time a second quicker than Waitpinga Lad in the following heat.
Trained and driven by Ryan Hryhorec, Waitpinga Lad caused an upset when he scored from Ona Highway Tohell and Wolf Of West Bay.
“He was first-up since February but he had been working well and was reasonably forward,” Hryhorec said.
“He got the ideal run, was able to make the most of it and will improve for the Final.”
