By Duane Ranger
Friends of Morrinsville trainer Dan Erickson would be the first to tell you that if he was a cat he would now be on his 10th life.
“That’s exactly what they said and tend to think of me as ‘Mr Accident-Prone’. I’ve had a few serious accidents over the years and they sure have let me know about it.
“I’m just so glad my father (Lenny) practised horse manipulation. It is equine health science and I’m proud that he inspired me to follow him into the industry. It has helped me recover from a few of my injuries a lot quicker,” Erickson said.
Due to his ties with his main job as a qualified ‘equine manipulator’ the Opotiki-born 56-year-old has now had his trainer’s licence since 2011, having had 21 starters to the races on and off since then.
His only horse in work – a daughter of American Ideal named Turbulent Flow, won her first race in 10 attempts at Alexandra Park last Friday.
The little brown mare also provided Erickson with his first training victory in 21 attempts when she and Todd Mitchell got up by nose in the last race – the $8,000 Shore Mariner Maiden. She was the $10 fifth favourite.
“This win is for all the harness trainers’ horses who I have manipulated over the years. I’ve listen to each and everyone of them. Their advice has been so valuable. This victory is for them, especially John Peary and Paul Green.
“When I did my first manipulation for Dad at John’s Te Puke stable, harness racing was a whole new language to me. I’d never heard of the jargon, and I thought back then if I’m going to get my manipulator’s licence I’d better do things right.
“My family had always been into galloping. In fact when I left home I always thought Dad was a galloping trainer and builder. It wasn’t until I I was laid-up with my injury that I realised he was a qualified manipulator as well,” Erickson said.
It was through horse manipulation that Erickson got to know standardbred trainers John Peary initially and latterly Paul Green.
“I made a point of getting up with the ‘harness racing play’, so I read up and then went and worked as a stablehand for John,” Erickson said.
“It was so easy for this galloping fella to get to know the trotting people. They are a lovely bunch. They welcomed me with open arms,” he added.
Erickson’s wequine work has been described as “meticulous” by several horsemen, including Mark Purdon who gets his team manipulated when they stay with Graeme Rogerson at Tauherenikau.
“It’s so good to have got that first winner. Dad’s sadly not with us any more, but he trained some nice gallopers and now I’ve trained a pacer to win. I’m sure he would have been proud that I took everyone’s harness racing advice in.
“It was Dad’s career and support for me that got me where I am today,” Erickson said.
Erickson was also quick to deflect praise on Waikato horsemen Tony Shaw, Peary, and for enticing him into harness racing.
“John taught me all of the basics when I went and became a stablehand for him. Then it was Tony and Paul told me to get my licence.
“Paul actually gave me Turbulent Flow to work, so a lot of the victory is his,” the ever modest Erickson said.
Turbulent Flow rocketed along the passing lane late to get up and beat the favourite in the last stride. He paced the 2200 mobile from barrier nine in 2:45.5 (mile rate 2:01 even) and home in 59.1 and 30 flat.
“It’s quite ironic but I also treat Richard Brosnan’s horses too and he trained the favourite who just missed.
“I probably would have been working on that horse too, but I had another wee accident of late and it has set me back a few weeks,” Erickson said.
Most of his injuries have been horse related. In one his leg was so mangled specialist told him he would never work with horses again.
“I told them otherwise. I had to back my own techniques on myself or my work was worth nothing. That’s a couple of times I’ve bounced back now when they said I wouldn’t.
“But this story isn’t about me. it’s about a tough little horse who doesn’t know how to give in – and about a swag of horsemen and horsewomen who have advised me and made this galloping hack so welcome,” Erickson said.
“Especially the Morrinsville Club who have been so supportive and even allowed me to have my own barns there while I was away for quite a while with my injuries,” he added.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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