"It's back into the routine now and back into the real world."
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Less than 24 hours after racing at Royal Randwick Dubbo trainer Peter Nestor was back at home and working horses at his property.
Nestor competed in Monday's $300,000 Country Championship Final with his gelding Dane De Lago but he did not figure in the places behind runaway winner Artlee.
It had been a rough lead-up to the final for Nestor and with Dane De Lago already approaching the end of his preparation and things were thrown into further disarray on Saturday when day one of The Championships was abandoned due to rain.
The meeting was moved to Monday and unfortunately for Nestor all the adversity proved too much as his chance finished 15th in the 16-strong field.
"It was good and a good incentive for country racing, things went a little pear-shaped for us with the cancellation on Saturday," the trainer admitted.
"The horse was at the end of his tether but they were first time owners, if it was up to me we probably would have just gone home."
Nestor said he wasn't too disappointed by the result as he approached the day like any other race meeting but he did admit it was nice to share the experience of racing at Randwick with his nephew, Kody.
Kody, who rode Dane De Lago to victory in the Dubbo heat of the inaugural Country Series, saddled up again in the final but could not make a serious impact on the race.
The event was a huge success for Artlee, his trainer Todd Wilan and jockey Mitchell Bell and Nestor admitted they were fully deserving of taking home the prize.
"It was good to see young Todd Wilan win and the best horse on the day won," Nestor said.
It was a disappointing day for trainers from the Central West region with Gilgandra trainer Bruce Parker coming in 13th with Yes Zariz, Hollywood Nell finishing 14th for Bathurst trainer Peter Stanley and Mudgee's Brett Thompson seeing his late inclusion Apistanna come home 11th.
Monday marked the first time since 2010 that Nestor had travelled to Randwick to race.
That year proved to be much more successful with Nestor's star galloper Miss Alberta recording a win and a fifth placed finish at the renowned track.
