Post race at Canberra with Harrison Ross, Major Allegiance and Mackenzie Atkinson. Photo by Lance Fearne Photography
Anything little bro can do, big sister Mackenzie Atkinson, can also do!
Twenty days after 16-year-old Matthew Atkinson drove his first winner at his 25th attempt, 22-year-old Mackenzie, has now trained her first winner – after just four race starts.
Big sister achieved the milestone with Major Allegiance winning race four at the Canberra meeting on Monday night (September 22).
With her boyfriend Harrison Ross driving the $3.30 equal favourite, Major Allegiance proved too tough in winning the Iron Horse Equine Arthrsyn Pace by 2.5 metres, recording a 2:00.9 mile-rate .
“It was surreal really. I am very lucky I have both Matthew and Harry that regularly drive Major Allegiance for me. They both know the horse very well and I think that is really helpful to them on the track. I’m just so glad I had my first winner behind ‘Arty’ (Major Allegiance) because he is the first horse I ever worked. It was also pleasing to win in Dad’s black and yellow silks.” Atkinson explained.
“I would like to thank my parents (Dean and Nicole) for making all of this possible. It was really exciting to get my win after just four starts. But I don’t think I would be training if it wasn’t for them and Harry. If he (Harry) hadn’t pestered me to get my licence three years ago I might not be training at all. I want to thank them all. I’m glad I did get involved,” said Atkinson.
“I actually got my licence to train in April or May, but only had my first start in June,” Atkinson added, who is working at her former Mulwaree High School in Goulburn, and studying to be a primary school teacher.
“I haven’t seen Matthew yet, but yes I will stir him up. I don’t want to do it on the phone. It has more bite in person,” she laughed.
Major Allegiance is one of two horses that Atkinson trains at her father’s Bungonia 14-strong stable, just a short 20km south-east of Goulburn. She owns the Art Major gelding with her parents; her older brother Mitchell; Brian Patrick, Jean Brechkow, and Tom Hazelton.
Atkinson, who now boasts a 25 per cent win-rate, said she was delighted with ‘Arty’s’ gutsy performance.
“I thought he was gone down the back straight but he kicked again. He’s a lovely horse to do anything with, even though he can be a bit cheeky and a pest at times. But in saying that he hasn’t got a nasty bone in his body.”
“Harry gave him the perfect trip and it was exciting to see him cross the line in first place. I was screaming him home all the way down the straight,” Atkinson said.
“I just love ‘Arty’,” she added.
Atkinson said he was now likely to race at a country track in the next few weeks and then possibly Goulburn in October.
Major Allegiance’s seventh career win came after Atkinson had previously trained him to a 10th at Wagga Wagga on June 20, followed by two sevenths at that same venue in mid-August.
The brown four-year-old was previously trained by her father Dean, and has now had 32 starts and additionally placed 10 times for total stakes of $51,446 since making his debut at Blayney in February 2012.
With one sibling trainer and one reinsman, Atkinson felt it was easier being a trainer than driver.
“I’m happy with my lot. I’m teacher-aiding at my old school (Mulwaree High School) and am coping okay with the horses as well, so when I graduate in just over a year I think I will keep on training. Drivers get the blame more than we (trainers) do, and it’s not something I’ve ever wanted to do. I’m happy working with kids and then getting horses ready for the races,” said Atkinson who left Mulwaree High School after completing in Year 12.
In fact, Atkinson is likely to play a big part in the future running of the Goulburn Harness Racing Club after being voted on as one of its youngest committee members at the Club’s Annual General Meeting on September 11.
The Goulburn club’s Secretary/Manager, Mark Croatto, welcomed Atkinson’s youthful enthusiasm.
“I’m thrilled with Mackenzie getting involved by joining the club’s committee. She is one of a group of younger members taking on a role to ensure the future growth and development of the Club. And motivation or enthusiasm are two attributes Mackenzie certainly doesn’t lack. She has already come out of the gates running,” Croatto said.
“The Club’s Disability Day on December 22 is entirely her idea. Mackenzie has already sold five marquees, with over 50 people, to local groups,” he added.
After being approached by Croatto, Atkinson said she was now pleased that she opted to stand on the Committee.
“I love Goulburn. It’s a family-orientated Club, which is always so supportive of horsemen, horsewomen, owners, breeders, and its patrons. I’m keen to help the Club grow and develop. I want to help it become bigger and more successful.” Said Atkinson.
“The Disabilities Day was just an initial idea to get more people with disabilities along to the trots. I want to not only get them involved and show them our great sport, but to also make them feel very welcome, not just on December 22, but every meeting,”
“I like being on a committee that boasts both youth and experience, and, like I said before, there has always been a family culture here and I want to ensure that even more,” she added.
Meanwhile, Atkinson’s other sibling, 25-year-old Mitchell, is also a Bungonia-based trainer. He has conditioned six winners ($37,019) since taking out his licence in 2022. Two of those triumphs have come this season via Achy Break Ark. That 3-year-old Vincent colt also finished third in the Listed 2yo Leeton Breeders Plate on Boxing Day last year.
For the record, Atkinson’s (Mackenzie) only other trainee is a 3-year-old four-win Lather Up gelding, Ogedie, who will be back in the gig in two weeks after recovering from an operation.
Her father Dean, works his team on the family’s picturesque 40-acre property which includes barns, water walker, spelling paddocks and day yards, and a 600-metre track.
