NZ HARNESS NEWS
Scott Dickson followed on from an excellent 2017 by starting the new year off the right way at Hawera on Sunday.
The Bulls trainer prepared two winners on the card at what was the Central Districts’ first meeting of 2018.
Trotter November Guy had been trending in the right direction, running third and second at his last two starts before Christmas, and he went one better on the grass yesterday.
After winning his first two starts for Dickson at Cambridge in the Winter after being purchased out of Phil Williamson’s Oamaru stable, his form tapered off somewhat.
But racing closer to home has seen him find form again and Dickson couldn’t be happier.
“He’s been a real pleasant surprise for us as he was only a cheapie.
“He hasn’t been the easiest horse to train with a few problems here and there.
“But getting back on the grass helped as he’s a big sort of clumpy horse.”
Dickson has fashioned a good record with ex-South Island horses and says he enjoys the thrill of winning with cheap pick-ups.
“You never know what you’re going to get and some work out better than others.”
One that does look like working out well is Carbonado, who won is first start for the barn in a maiden yesterday, holding off a late challenge from Helix to get the win.
He was only recently acquired from Patrick O’Reilly in Ashburton, who gave him 11 starts without so much as a placing, the most recent at Rangiora a week before Christmas.
“Den O’Reilly (brother of Patrick) organised it for me.
“He rung and said they were close to finishing with it down there, so organized a lease and stayed in it with us.
“He’s a big, free-going horse that suits the grass and I think definitely appreciated the easier company.
“I know they thought he’d win a race for them in Canterbury, he just didn’t deliver.”
Dickson’s team is ready to fire through the busy summer months, though says programming issues have jeopardised his ability to go to certain meetings and for there to be consistent racing in the region.
“We normally go up to Tauranga every year, but they’ve got Otaki five days later so we won’t be able to.
“They’ve made a complete hash of the programme for down here; it’s all cocked up.
“I’m not sure where the team will go next, but we’ll pick out meetings here and there to target.”
NZ Harness News
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