Trainer suffers serious injury

ALTHOUGH he provided some tonic with his comeback win, exciting trotter Reoffender still has a lot of redemption to complete.

Sidelined for 18 months due to several setbacks, Reoffender was ready for his first public appearance – a trial in Gawler – when he caused a serious injury to co-trainer Jill Neilson.

With Neilson’s partner Katie Wilson continuing the gelding’s campaign, Reoffender scored first-up in a Rising Stars heat at Globe Derby last Monday.

While the victory helped to put a smile on Neilson’s face, the respected horsewoman stated the son of Aldebaran Eagle “still has a debt to pay”.

That debt will be reduced on Saturday night should Reoffender win the Final at Globe Derby.

“I was taking a bell boot off him when I got knocked,” Neilson said. “I fractured a vertebrae and I’ve got a disc which is not where it should be.

“I’m in a lot of pain and now all I can do is rest and take painkillers.

“They tell me I will be out of action for six to eight week and thank God for Katie keeping things rolling.

“He is lucky he won his heat as he owed me that, but he’s not out of trouble yet and still has a debt to pay.”

To be driven by Wayne Hill, Reoffender faces a tough task from a difficult draw.

Not only has the four-year-old drawn barrier seven – the outside of the front row – he is stepping up in grade.

“He is a lovely going horse with plenty of ability, but this will test him at his second run after so long off,” Neilson said. “The draw is not ideal and he is up in class.

“There are some pretty handy types in the field and they’re drawn inside him, which makes it harder.

“I think the speed will be on early, so where he is in the run will be up to Wayne…I’m sure he has a Plan A, B and C.”