Dickie called in to replace Herlihy

Josh Dickie will step up to play a role in Bolt For Brilliance’s (Muscle Hill) SENTrack Inter Dominion harness racing campaign at Geelong this Saturday night (Dec. 3).

Dickie has been booked to partner the star squaregaiter in the third round of trotting qualifiers due to trainer-driver Tony Herlihy’s racing commitments back home in New Zealand over the weekend.

It’s an exciting opportunity for Dickie, who has previously worked for and is a close friend of the legendary Kiwi horseman.

Herlihy has been staying with Dickie and his partner Sammy Kilgour during Bolt For Brilliance’s Australian raid, with the horse prepared out of their property in Toolern Vale during the past week.

“He’s been a mentor of mine for such a long time and it’s great having him stay here, but unfortunately he has to go home to drive at Addington on Sunday with the big meeting there,” Dickie said.

“It’s just a bit of luck (for me). He will be back in Melbourne by Monday.

“With Bolt already guaranteed a spot in the final, it made it an easier decision for him I think.

“It’s just great to be aboard on a horse like that and get the drive on him.”

Bolt For Brilliance sits equal second on the overall Inter Dominion Trotting Championship points leaderboard after a dominant win in Ballarat on night one of the series and a barnstorming second despite gear failure in Shepparton on Tuesday.

He remains the clear favourite to win the $250,000 Grand Final, with the TAB holding him firm at $2.

Bolt For Brilliance has drawn barrier two on Saturday night, one spot outside fellow series fancy and noted quick beginner Just Believe.

Dickie wouldn’t reveal any plans for Geelong, but remains confident in the gelding’s ability.

“It’s a tricky gate, but I don’t think there’s any need to panic too much. It’s 2500m and we will just have to see what happens,” he said.

“Inter Dominions, they can throw a spanner in the works and anything can change during a race. It’s just something I’ll probably discuss with Tony later in the week, how the horse is driven.

“He showed last night that if he’s off the speed he’s pretty capable of picking them up. He had a fraction of bad luck last night, and probably didn’t have much right to run as close as he did and only be beaten a nose.

“If he has to be off the speed, then so be it. I’ll have plenty of confidence in the horse doing his job.”

While many of the big guns look set to take their place in the Inter Dominion Trotting Championship Grand Final at Melton on December 10, there’s still plenty of spots up for grabs in the 12-horse field for the Group 1 decider.

Majestic Harry, Parisian Artiste and Brandlo Prince all sit on 16 points and in equal 12^th spot on the standings heading into the last round of heats in Geelong, while many others can still force a way into the big dance courtesy of a forward showing at Beckley Park.

For complete fields for Geelong Saturday, click here.

by Tim O’Connor, for HRV