Former top jockey Colin O'Neill received a timely lift in spirits ahead of major surgery next week when his daughter Cherie landed her third metropolitan win as a trainer with former Victorian Je Ne Sais Pas at Doomben.Cherie O'Neill has been training less than three months after her father decided not to renew his licence at the start of the season and won her first city race with Je Ne Sais Pas at Eagle Farm on August 27.The four-year-old mare appeared to face an impossible task after being ca

Former top jockey Colin O'Neill received a timely lift in spirits ahead of major surgery next week when his daughter Cherie landed her third metropolitan win as a trainer with former Victorian Je Ne Sais Pas at Doomben.

Cherie O'Neill has been training less than three months after her father decided not to renew his licence at the start of the season and won her first city race with Je Ne Sais Pas at Eagle Farm on August 27.

The four-year-old mare appeared to face an impossible task after being caught three wide throughout but fought back to beat the odds with a nose win in the BLF Handicap (1030m).

"That'll pick up Dad's spirits," O'Neill said.

"He hasn't been well at all and is due to have surgery for a third time for brain cancer on Friday week.

"I took over training for Dad at the start of the season after he became sick last year and this win is pretty special for all of us."

Colin O'Neill was first struck down by cancer a year ago while training the odd horse or two at the Sunshine Coast and had a kidney removed last May following surgery for two previous brain tumours.

He was a successful trainer in his own right but is best known as being one of Queensland's top jockeys in the 1960s and `70s.

The former champion rider won five Brisbane premierships and a host of big races before weight problems prematurely ended his career in the saddle at the age of 32.

His best wins included the Doomben 10,000 (Tipperary Star), Stradbroke Handicap (Prince Medes), Queensland Derby (Confidence), Queensland Oaks (Aspalita) and Grand Prix (Mighty Keys).

He is also fondly remembered for his association with champion "Creeker" Red Seas, who became a cult hero at the former sand track at Albion Park in Brisbane during O'Neill's riding days.

Ironically, O'Neill's last winner as a jockey was on Ropeley Lad at Albion Park in 1974 and his first winner as a trainer was Cast A Shadow at the same track.

Je Ne Sais Pas's win was the third for jockey Danny Craven since his recent return from a nine-month stint in Korea.

Je Ne Sais Pas ($2 fav) beat Scent Of Gold ($3.10) with August fair ($11) four lengths away third to take her record to five wins and five placings from 18 starts.