Dickie excited about Aussie trip

There was excitement in harness racing trainer John Dickie’s voice as he outlined plans for Old Town Road (Bettor’s Delight).

The horse heads to Australia tomorrow after two workouts at Cambridge and Pukekohe with the Ballarat Cup and Hunter Cup firmly on the radar.

“With the Cambridge run we left the plugs in. It was a better run than we thought because he was a length behind the GP (galloping pacemaker) when he hooked out and a length in front at the finish. At Pukekohe last week we were just overwhelmed with the run. Not that he headed Copy That, it was how he did it and how he pulled up. We were over the moon to be quite honest,” Dickie said. 

Dickie said the Hunter Cup is the horse’s ultimate goal, with the Ballarat Cup the lead up race.

“He’ll still be more than competitive in the Ballarat Cup. It’s a two race attack and then we’ll come home for the big races in New Zealand. We don’t want to over tax him.”

Travelling has always been Old Town’s achilles heel but the trip to Christchurch and Cup week have improved his travelling manners.

“He used to sweat up and kick in the float but the trip away has really improved him.”

Old Town Road had three runs in Canterbury – Ashburton Flying Stakes, New Zealand Cup and New Zealand FFA and Dickie was pleased with them all.

“I’ve been over his Canterbury runs a few times and I’ve felt that if he had drawn better and closer up in every run we gave him he would have finished a lot closer.”

The gelding was given a three week break after Cup Week.

“It was his first trip away. He had three runs and the plan was to race him in the new year. His work has just got better. It’s been amazing.”

Dickie said Old Town Road will stay at his son and part owner Josh Dickie’s stable for the first week, then John will fly over to supervise the campaign.

John also confirmed regular driver Zachery Butcher will be at the reins on Old Town Road for both races.

“We want to keep the same driver on, and Zac’s prepared to make the effort and come across.” 

by Bruce Stewart for Harnesslink