Carter Dalgety back with a big book of drives on Friday

Just hours after jetting in from his “life-changing” stint in the United States, Carter Dalgety will be back to work at Addington with a big book of harness racing drives on Friday night.

“The old body clock might be a bit messed up but I’ll be ok,” the 21-year-old said from Houston airport on his way home.

Dalgety returns home after a trip that was filled with highlights.

“I just loved it, it was incredible,” says Dalgety, “initially I thought I was going for six weeks and it’s been three months.”

“The presentation and professionalism of all the trainers and drivers was one thing that stood out … they have incredible racing IQ when it comes to reading a race.”

“Plus they (the drivers) make scary money!”

Along the way he had 100 drives with 12 wins, including a treble at Philadelphia in early August, a win in 1:48.8 at the Meadowlands in New Jersey and he drove Beach Rules to win in the fastest-equal mile time for a two-year-old filly in North America this year.

He drove at such iconic venues as the Red Mile in Kentucky and went to many epic race days including the Hambletonian and the Little Brown Jug.

“The atmosphere at the Little Brown Jug (Delaware, Ohio) was incredible, the crowd went right around the track and around some of the bends they were 10 deep.”

Dalgety headed to the States after winning the Valachi Downs Young Scholarship award. The $15,000 prize is awarded to help individuals under 35 progress their careers in the equine industry.

Dalgety decided to head to the east coast of the USA and stay with his mate and one-time mentor, 10-time Kiwi champion Dexter Dunn. Dunn is having another hugely successful year. He’s currently the second highest earning driver in the States, with 237 wins and stakes of over $10.6m.

“It’s just been such an eye opener being here,” says Dalgety.

Along the way he got to spend time with some of the best in the business.

“I had a couple of days with (Hall of Famer) Ake Svanstedt, it was completely different, his uphill and interval training, with just trotters, it was really cool.”

“He was the leading trainer here last year and has a powerful team.”

While this was Dalgety’s first “working holiday” to the US it’s unlikely to be the last.

“I’d certainly be looking at coming back at some stage.”

But first he’s got to get back to work and put some of his US experience into practice.

While he was away Sam Thornley leapfrogged him at the top of the junior drivers’ premiership. He has 44 wins to Dalgety’s 36.

So what are the chances of him regaining the lead before the end of the year?

“I’ll give it a go!’

That starts on Friday with :

Race 2 IRT.Your Horse.Our Passion Mobile Pace – Wallflower
Race 4 Canprint Lazarus Three-Year-Old Stakes – Spirit Of Anarchy
Race 6 Commodore Hotel For Your Cup Week Accommodation Mobile Pace – Fernetti
Race 8 Lamb and Hayward Canterbury Classic – Franco Sinatra
Race 9 XCM Sport Mobile Pace – Ragazzo Major
Race 10 Woodlands Stud Second Mares’ Spring Sprint – Evangalist
Race 11 Gold Band Taxis Mobile Pace – The Night Fox

For complete race entries, click here.

by Dave Di Somma, for Harness News Desk