by Michael Guerin
A sudden realization has added some extra motivation to the last month of the harness racing season for father and son training team John and Josh Dickie.
The pair going into tonight’s Alexandra Park meeting just two wins behind Barry Purdon, on both track and North Island premierships, would love to claim both titles for the first time.
“Dad realised a couple of weeks ago, we were that close, and to be the leading trainers at Alexandra Park, and the whole North Island for that matter, would be great,” said Josh Dickie.
“There would be no disgrace to lose to Barry either cause he is a legend but since we’re this close we will give it our best shot.
“I think we have the horses to win two or three more at least, for the season.” One of those is C K Spur, who has his first outing since last month’s Jewels in race five tonight.
“We are very happy with him and off the 10m mark he might be able to get around and lead,” says Josh.
“If he does that he can trot 3:28-3:29 and that will make him hard to catch.” Arethusa Spur has the manners to go close in race seven, where her 10m handicap doesn’t look so tricky, when you realise four of those on the front line are unruly, so she could soon step into a handy position.
Purdon, who has won the national premiership so many times has lost count, he has numbers slightly on his side tonight as he tries to extend his dual premiership lead but says draws won’t help him.
“I’ve got a few starters in the next few weeks, with Hug The Wind probably racing next week but not big numbers as we have wound right down for winter now. “The three I have in this week (Inner Light, Maheer Mister and Opoutama) all have winning chances but two of them have wide draws, so it won’t be easy.”
While the trainers premiership in the north, and at Alexandra Park is tight, the drivers title for both is well and truly decided, with David Butcher ahead on both tables.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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