Wheelchair trainer in winner's circle

Don't feel sorry for me, says Ray Peake.

It may be 6 1/2 years since he put his feet on the ground, but the wheelchair-bound Cambridge horse trainer felt like the world's luckiest man when Art Link won the last race at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Mr Peake, formerly of Takanini, has become a Cambridge icon. Every morning and afternoon, in freezing cold or searing heat, he rides his motorised wheelchair the 1.9km from his house down to the stable and back. He has a specially equipped van to get him around, but refuses to use it for the trip to the stable.

"I can't get him into the van," said wife Yvonne, who co-trains Art Link. "He insists on getting himself there."

Yesterday, the pair were at the Cambridge Lodge horse sale and were due to meet the Herald photographer at the stables at 4pm.

When they drove past their house on the way to the stables, Mr Peake, even though running late, insisted on being dropped off so he could drive his wheelchair.

"Don't feel sorry for me, I'm fine."

Mr Peake had his accident off the back of a horse. He was schooling Big Hustler, with whom he won the New Zealand St Leger, when the horse stumbled and fired him over his head.

The accident left him a tetraplegic, but he has limited use of his arms.

Nine months ago Mr Peake fielded a call from a mate, fellow Cambridge trainer Tim Carter, offering him Art Link, who had been sent back from Hong Kong.

"The moment I laid eyes on him I couldn't get him quick enough."

The pair clicked immediately and Art Link won his second start back in New Zealand at Te Awamutu on July 23. Saturday was the horse's second win and Mr Peake is tipping a big future for the 5-year-old, who had not enjoyed much luck in his racing leading up to the weekend.

But Art Link has a bomb-proof temperament.

"I'm sure he knows I'm paralysed because he never puts a foot wrong. You can do anything you like with him - even take him inside and watch television with him."

You could almost believe that, watching how quietly Art Link walked around with his trainers during the photo session yesterday.

The way he is performing it may be a long time before Art Link sees a hurdle on raceday, but he has already gained the first half of his jumping qualifying ticket.

"He loves jumping," said Mr Peake.

"Take him for an 800m gallop and he's not that interested.

"Put a fence in front of him and he can't wait."

He also can't wait to see that wheelchair every morning.

"He's not that keen on other horses but he simply loves people."