By Duane Ranger
Hunterville horseman, Scott Dickson, is only bringing three horses 63km north to tonight’s meeting in Palmerston North – and two of them are real good chances to win the feature pace.
Dickson trains both Ralph Elliot and Marshal Star. They will line up from gates four and 10 respectively in the Manawatu Harness Racing Club’s ninth event – the $7,000 Kevin & Shirley Farrier Mobile for the R61 to R73 Pace.
Dickson said he only just favoured Ralph Elliot because of his kind draw which was over a distance (2000m mobile) he has placed five times from nine starts.
“Maurice (McKendry) seemed to cross over to sit parked pretty easy from gate seven at Cambridge last start, so I think I should be able to lead from his good draw this time.
“He’s working well but then again so is Marshal Star. I’d like him a lot more if he drew better. There’s not much between them. I also like the other one in the seventh race as well. He’s drawn good too,” Dickson said.
He was referring to Jonah Jones who has been consistent and not far from the winner’s circle in recent races.
Dickson will drive that 5-year-old McArdle gelding, who is attempting to win his fourth race on the track. All up he’s won four from 40.
All races are worth $7,000 tonight, but the most highly assessed pacers will line up in race seven.
Dickson has opted to drive Ralph Elliot while Philip Butcher will get behind Marshal Star. They are rated R65 and R70 respectively.
Three of Ralph Elliot’s four wins have come at Manawatu Raceway. Marshal Star is having his first start at the track.
“Marshall Star has won three of his last six starts and was second at Cambridge last start. He can go close,” Dickson said.
They are two of seven standardbreds being trained by Dickson. His partner Lydia Pickford trains the same amount of thoroughbreds, but they are primarily farmers.
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.
In the sulky Dickson reined home 146 winners from 2306 starters, placed 324 times and won $800,874 in 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.
“It’s just a shame only two of them can though – unless there’s a dead-heat,” Dickson said.
Dickson has only driven one winner this season. That was behind the Dickson trained Bobbie’s Girl at Wanganui on February 12.
“I don’t mind driving at Manawatu but generally I prefer the guns like David Butcher and Maurice McKendry to get on my horses,” Dickson said.
The 38-year-old is also on target to equal is best season of training.
“Last year we got eight winners. We’ve got four now and we could go close to eight because last year we had quite a bit of luck towards the end of the season. Hopefully we can do that again,” Dickson said.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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