Harness racing trainer Rob Xerri is still pinching himself after experiencing one of the most memorable weeks of his life.
It started last Tuesday when talented youngster Hazels Girl covered the mile in 1:54.5 – an Australasian record for two-year-old fillies at Tabcorp Park Menangle.
Three days later it got even better when smart four-year-old My General Lee returned to the winners’ list with a dominant display at Menangle.
Just a few hours after Xerri arrived home from the races his wife Melanie Xerri into labour.
“I only had the one horse in at Menangle on Friday night, so I was home early and in bed by about 10 o’clock,” Xerri said.
“Melanie woke me up at about 1am because she was having contractions and we left for the hospital by about 3:30.
“She ended up giving birth to our little boy Nash Sam Xerri at 9:20 in the morning.”
Xerri was a little bit surprised that Nash arrived on Saturday morning because Melanie and Rob had visited the doctor the previous day.
“We went and saw the doctor on Friday and were told to come back next Thursday, but he wasn’t going to wait until then,” Xerri said.
“Nash’s middle name is Sam and the reason we picked that is because my Uncle Sam passed away recently and he was a special person.
“Nash had some breathing issues when he was first born, but everything is going well now and I’m expecting Melanie and Nash home by Tuesday or Wednesday.”
The next few weeks will continue to be busy for Xerri, who has aimed Hazels Girl at the Bathurst Gold Crown carnival.
“At this stage I’m planning on taking four horses to Bathurst,” Xerri said. “Hazels Girl will definitely be one of those horses, she is a very talented filly as she showed last Tuesday.
“The run knocked her around a little bit though, which is understandable, so she won’t race again until the heats of the Gold Tiara.
“I always knew she had ability, but the time was very good.”
Xerri is also contemplating taking My General Lee and Christian Sloy to Queensland.
“He is on the market at the moment, but if he doesn’t sell I will take both of them to Queensland for a couple of races,” Xerri said.
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HRNSW Media