Local Dapto trainer Neil Shaw has provided Shoalhaven mini trot graduates a stepping stone into the harness racing industry. Three of our girls have been lucky enough to be given the opportunity to drive his horses as soon as they received their licences. It started with Georgia Young who had success then chose a different career path. Then her sister Madi Young took over the reins and had many wins and places. Madi is now working for the Morris stables at Menangle and is having great success working and driving for Robbie and KerryAnn.
Now young Caitlin McElhinney has taken over the steers on Neil's horses and has already tasted success with a couple of wins and places. Neil does something no other trainer would probably do, nominate his horses around Caitlin's schooling. That sees them travailing to country night meetings from Wagga Wagga to Tamworth and all places in between to give her a wonderful opportunity. If its a week night he picks her up from school and away they go. Neil and his wonderful wife Noreen have three grandkids in mini trotting, Matt, Sam and Mia and then there is young Will who is also eager to obtain his mini licence next year to follow granddads footsteps. Between training his horses he also looks after the the minis and drives his grandkids and other young club members to local gymkhanas and shows and doesn't mind calling the races at some of the shows.
Come championship time you'll find Neil all day Saturday and Sunday on the track as a track attendant and Noreen up at the stabling area making sure the kids are geared up and ready for each race.
They are both amazing assets to have at the Shoalhaven club and graduates giving the young ones a fantastic opportunity.