Old Town Road faces biggest test

Untapped northern pacer Old Town Road (Bettor’s Delight) faces the biggest test of his short harness racing career when he lines up in a hot Ashburton Flying Stakes on Monday (Oct 24).

Trained by John Dickie, the four year old in only in his second season of racing has the least experience in the lineup for the Group Two feature.

Dickie flies down to Christchurch today (19 Oct) and will give Old Town Road a final hit out on either the Woodend Beach or on David Butts track.

After winning the Holmes DG Old Town Road was put on a float to Christchurch, in the care of Dickie’s partner Linda German. The trip was broken with a six hour stop at Bulls.

“He has travelled well – better than I thought. When the float stopped to pick up other horses he started pawing (float floor) but once the truck got going again, he stood perfectly.”

Dickie said the Bettors Delight gelding arrived in good condition and is eating and watering well.

“His biggest achilles in my mind is that he hasn’t been there and done that. He’s just a big kid. When Davey (Butt) worked him on Tuesday the horse was shying at everything like a two year old. He’ll improve so much on this trip. He’s got a lot of speed and ability, but he just needs to chill out.”

The only blemish in Old Town Roads eleven start formline was in finishing last at Cambridge after he played up and wouldn’t move up to the mobile arm.

“He’d only ever been to Pukekohe and Alexandra Park. It was a day meeting and he just misbehaved.

Before the race you couldn’t hold him, he was front footing and bucking.”

Dickie says he’s aware Old Town Road will need to finish in the top four to get a start in the Cup but knows there’s a bigger picture to consider.

“As long as he gets away and is running home I’d be happy. If he doesn’t make the Cup field my gut tells me he’ll be better next year. It’s just the way things have happened. He’s climbed up the rankings and is good enough to nominate. If he doesn’t make the field, I’ll wait for the Free for All then come home.”

Old Town Road will be driven in the Flying Stakes by in form reinsman Zachery Butcher.

“He’s done a terrific job. We’ve always felt there’s been a lot left in the tank. When he goes to the line he’s always looking around and not concentrating. That’s what he does even in trackwork. If he looked like getting into the Cup, I’d definitely go to the Cup Trial so he could have a look around (Addington).”

Dickie said Old Town Road is good from the stand and Monday will provide an indication of where the horse sits in this elite grade.

“He can maintain speed for a long time. Down the track he will be able to do a bit of work. We’re not going to Ashburton to go three wide and sticking it up some of the other horses. He’ll be a better horse when he comes home.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink