Tac Mac’s win special

It’s nearly twenty years to the day since popular Bluff Fisherman and Rugby player Terry Dixon was tragically killed at Tisbury while heading to work.

It’s very fitting then that the raced named after him at the Invercargill Harness Racing Club’s meeting at Ascot Park today was won by Tac Mac – a horse that is part owned by Terry’s brother Colin.

“We ended up not going out (oystering) and I tried to ring him but he had already left for Bluff,” Colin said reflecting on his brother’s death.

Going into today’s meeting the Dixon family asked if the Terry Dixon Memorial race could be used for the race Tac Mac was nominated for.

“Jason Broad and Lindsay Beer did a great job in getting the race allocated to Tac Mac.”

Dixon said the day was very special with lots of the family in attendance.

“It was a great family day, all the Bluffies came up and all of Terry’s mates. My son Mason and his two children (Mia and Riley) flew in on Tuesday from Perth. They all came out and got their photos taken. It was bloody awesome. All the family are going to the Foveaux Hotel tomorrow for Terry’s 20^th anniversary and then we’re going to watch a few races at the Jewels.”

Driver Brent Barclay settled the three year old filly in the second half of the field before improving around the field to sit parked and control the race with just over a lap to run.

“He actually controlled the race from there. She’s actually quite a nice wee horse this,” trainer Brent Shirley said.

As the back part of the field started to improve inside the last 600 metres Barclay looked around and pushed the mare forward to pressure pacemaker Celebration. Inside the last 400 metres Tact Mac hit the front and down the home stretch she held on tenaciously to beat Dachy by half a length.

Tac Mac is out of Lis Mara mare Tact Minaj who is out of the Tact Hayley Jane. Tact Minaj started her racing career with Trevor Proctor but won her only race with Brent Shirley.

Tact Minaj is a half-sister to Tact Hayleys Delight and the highly promising Tact Tama, the winner of his five starts in Australia.

Tac Mac is Tact Minaj’s first foal while her second Rat A Tact Tact (American Ideal) was sold recently to Wyndham trainer Gordon Lee. Her latest foal, a filly, is by Raging Bull.

Shirley was on a bit of a break with his family in Queenstown today so wasn’t on-course to see the win.

Tac Mac had one start as a two year old, and this season has won three of her thirteen starts for owners Colin Dixon, Ali Barron-Dixon, Noddy and Jane Orr, Mark Tempelton, Linda Tempelton and Jimmy Wilks. In five of her other starts she’s run second. Her total stakes this season are $23,158.00.

“She’s a bit cranky on the ground but once she’s in the cart she’s beautiful to work with. She’ll probably do a nice job next season.”

By Bruce Stewart