Dickie has a strong book in Cambridge tonight

South Auckland-based driver Joshua Dickie will run five harness races at Cambridge Raceway tonight and is confident that all can put in a strong performance.

Dickie’s first ride is on Grace N Elegance (Pegasus Trail), who will start in the first race, the Watchu Security Mobile Trot over 2200 metres.

The five-year-old mare finished fourth here on June 20th after being held up on the home straight. It was only in the last 50 meters that she found a clear path and put in a strong run.

“She’s an honest horse who was pretty unlucky last time out. After being held up late, I was really pleased with the way she crossed the line,” says Dickie.

“Tonight it’s a good race for her in the right class and as she’s not mobile she’ll start level, I think she’s got a good chance.”

In the second race, the Barrett Homes – Palisades Mobile Pace, Dickie Debrief (Captaintreacherous), his first of three trips for employers Steve and Amanda Telfer.

“I like him. He’s quite a smart colt, well bred and has a great disposition. I expect him to run a good race tonight, even though it’s his first start as a two-year-old against the older maidens,” says Dickie.

“Some of his workouts may have looked just OK, but he has improved a lot since then and he has shown enough starting speed to suggest he could take an early lead if needed.”

The well-bred colt by Captaintreacherous and out of Elle Mac was purchased for $270,000 at the 2023 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sale at Karaka.

Key (Sweet Lou), also trained by Telfer/Telfer, is Dickie’s next favourite in the fifth race, the Barrett Homes – Moorings Mobile Pace over 2700 metres.

The three-year-old colt has started twice at Alexandra Park this season, finishing second on both occasions and failing to display the ability he showed in his win at Cambridge in January.

“His last two runs have been below par, although you can forgive him for his refresher run where he put in quite a bit of work,” says Dickie. “He’s had a couple of little issues and actually fell off on his bumpers last week, which may have worried him a bit, but this week he’s drawn nine, which suits him and gives him a run that can give him a bit of confidence.”

In the sixth race, the Betavet Buildagut Mobile Pace, Dickie Jubilee Rock (A rock’n’roll dance) for Telfer/Telfer.

The four-year-old mare, who has raced little, has had no success since her first win as a two-year-old at Ashburton, but a change of scenery by moving to the Telfers’ North Island could prove beneficial.

“She will be interesting because, to be honest, she is in pretty poor form but since her last run in Auckland her track work has been brilliant, she is running time and doing well,” says Dickie.

“There are some good horses in the race but I think she will run a cheeky race tonight.”

Dickie’s last drive of the evening is Bad Medicine (Joy of the weather), starting in the seventh race, the Dunstan Horsefeeds Mobile Pace over 2700 metres.

With four weeks between his last two races, Bad Medicine finished fourth in a 2700m standing start race at Alexandra Park last week, won by Coastal Babe.

“He’s quite an intelligent horse and being trained by Arna Donnelly here in Cambridge, he certainly deserves respect,” says Dickie.

“The field is pretty evenly balanced, although Triple G, racing in the north for the first time, could be the one to beat.”

The racing action starts tonight with Race 1 at 5:10 p.m.

For full entries for the Cambridge race, Click here.

from Brigette Solomonfor Harness Racing New Zealand