By Duane Ranger
Scott Dickson is one of the most humble horsemen you could ever meet, but even before the races he thought both of his pacers could go close in last night’s Wairarapa Cup at Manawatu Raceway.
“I thought Marshal Star could win and Ralph Elliott could go close. They are the best two of the eight or so I work. Both were in peak condition,” the Hunterville trainer said.
The Philip Butcher driven $3.60 favourite Marshal Star had one-and-a-quarter lengths to spare over his stablemate, the Dickson driven Ralph Elliott in the $12,000 Post office Hotel Pahiatua Wairarapa Cup.
“I thought the other fella was good enough to come off my back and he did exactly that. Marshall Star has probably raced himself out of that grade now meaning we might have to head to Cambridge with him. I’d also start him at Alexandra Park if they staged their Winter Grass Series again.
“As for the other fella, he’ll line up again at Manawatu in a couple of weeks,” Dickson said.
Last night’s Wairarapa Cup was Dickson’s first Country Cup since he trained and drove All The Way to win the 2010 Wanganui Cup.
“It was a very satisfying feeling to run one-two. That’s my first Country Cup quinella and I’m very proud of them both. It was a nice drive by Phil,” Dickson said.
Marshal Star and Ralph Elliot both started from the 10m back-mark in last night’s Cup. At the bell Ralph Elliot led while Marshal Star was in the one-one.
In the lane Marshall Star simply had too much acceleration to win going away. He paced the 2500m stand in 3:13.1 (mile rate 2:04.2) with final 800m and 400m sectionals of 59.5 and 29.5.
It was the 6-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding’s ninth win in 60 starts. He’s also placed 11 times and banked $61,413 in stakes.
The former South Islander won six races in the Mainland before coming north. Last night’s victory was his second at Manawatu Raceway.
Dickson is now just one win away from achieving his best season since taking out his trainer’s licence in 2002.
He has so far trained seven winners in 2016-2017. All up he’s conditioned 63 winners from 681 starters and banked $385,314.
Dickson has also driven 147 winners ($912,474) since 1997.
Dickson and his partner Lydia Pickford live just 63km from Manawatu Raceway.
“Wairarapa is just over the hill. Even though Palmerston North is our home track, it’s nice to win a near-by Cup. To run second as well is even better,” Dickson said.
The couple farm dairy and beef cattle in Hunterville and get up at 5am to muck out the horse boxes, then between 6-6.30am they start milking and finish around 8am.
Breakfast follows, then more training or travelling, with their day finishing at 10 or 11pm.
Dickson is originally from Mid Canterbury. He has trained 60 winners from 668 starters since 2002. he’s also placed 158 times and banked $363,284 in career stakes.
“I still love training and driving but being a farmer keeps you busier than ever. I do know the three I’m bring to the races tomorrow can all win.
Dickson and Pickford own Marshal Star. He was bred by Graham Pearson.
The last 11 winners of the Wairarapa Cup (with trainers and drivers) have been:
2016: The Paul Chalklen trained Mischief Maker (Kyle Marshall).
2015:The Geoff Small trained The Bucket List (David Butcher).
2014: The Brent Mangos trained and driven Major Star.
2013: The Jim Curtin trained and driven Suu Kyi.
2012: The Andrew & Lyn Neal trained Delight Brigade (Todd Mitchell).
2011: The Stephen Doody trained River Field (Jim Curtin).
2010: The Brent Lilley trained His Honour (Josh Dickie).
2009: The Brent Lilley trained Flyin Interstate (Jay Abernethy).
2008: The Geoff Small trained Victory Spirit (David Butcher).
2007: The Kevin Smith trained Make It Real (Tony Shaw).
2006: The Brian Fleming trained Wicklow Express (Phil Fleming).
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