RACING is an emotive pastime and it could not have been evidenced more that at Kensington Park at New Norfolk today where veteran reinsman Peter Dornauf made a winning return to the driving ranks after 15 years in retirement.
Dornauf teamed up with Royal Village to deliver the goods in a heat of the David Withers Memorial over 2100 metres.
Royal Village was settled back in the field by Dornauf who was content to wait until a lap out to make his move on the seven-year-old that had won only one other race in over two years.
The leaders capitulated due to a hot pace and when Dornauf’s charge hit the lead at the top of the straight he burst clear and went on to score by almost 15 metres from Flying Jasper with Public Expectation a nose astern
For Dornauf it was his first drive in over 15 years and at 57, most close to him were curious as to why he would want to make a comeback so late in life.
But as he explained there was far more behind his decision to rekindle the flame that once led him to being one of the state’s most talented trainers and a more than accomplished reinsman.
His son Aleck had followed in Peter’s footsteps but when Aleck opted to find an alternative hobby his son, Dylan. started to show an interest that’s when Peter decided to make a comeback.
“I’m making the comeback for my grandson (Dylan) because I wanted to let him see me doing this and hopefully he will take an even greater interest,” Peter Dornauf said.
As a trainer Dornauf enjoyed much success and in his heyday he was regarded as a master horseman.
He trained the great mare Jane Ellen that won a heat of an Inter Dominion and he also drove the mare to victory at the early stage of her racing career before Jane Ellen was sent to Victoria to be prepared by the late Vin Knight.
Listen to what trainer-driver Peter Dornauf told Peter Staples in an interview after Royal Village won at New Norfolk today (Saturday) – click here.