By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
Australian training giant, Grant Dixon, will nominate more horses for Redcliffe Paceway’s Trot Rods 2023 Series. but isn’t overly confident he can win it despite posting the quickest time so far.
“I was rapt with both wins. Both horses went really well, but I’m not getting carried away. We’ve only had six heats so far and there’s a long way to go yet.
“Aroda probably has more upside to him the other winner (Wonderwoman Jujon),” Dixon said.
Dixon won both Trot Rod Heats at Redcliffe Paceway last Wednesday night (May 3).
Aroda, a 3-year-old Art Major colt, notched up his third win in nine starts in the fifth heat, low-flying the 947m mobile in 64.6 seconds – the fastest time of 2023m – previously beating Bronski Beat’s 65.4 time he recorded in heat three a week earlier.
Dixon then made it a double in heat six when he trained and drove Wonderwoman Jujon to win by a head in 66.8. The 4-year-old Pet Rock mare has now won eight of her 44 starts.
But Dixon knows all about winning Trot Rod heats and then bowing out to a quicker time.
Last year the Dixon trained, and Cam Hart driven Flo Ryda set a solid time of 65.5, only for Hart and the Ricky Thurlow trained Just Dessy to record the fastest ever lap around Redcliffe Paceway – 63.5 seconds ¬– in that same 2022 Series. ‘Dessy’ won that heat by a whopping 24.2 lengths.
That victory was 0.3 of a second quicker than 2021 winner – the Chantal Turpin trained, and Peter McMullen driven. Adam Crocker.
The inaugural Series in 2020 was won by the Donny Smith trained and Paul Diebert driven With The Band in 64.77.
“I wouldn’t say I’m the biggest fan of that style of racing, but there are good prizes and good money up for grabs, Our owners certainly deserve the chance to compete in Series like these. It’s something different, but not everyone’s cup of tea,” Said Dixon who works a team of 60 in Tamborine.
Dixon however praised organisers of the Series and the Media, which had made it unique.
“They have done a good job advertising it, and it’s always pleasing to win any race – no matter what it is. I have other horses in mind for the rest of the Series,” Dixon said.
Meanwhile ‘Invited driver’ – and Victoria’s top reinsman of this and last season – James Herbertson, said he was looking forward to competing in his first Trot Rod Series at the grand finale night on May 24.
Herbertson won last year’s Victorian Driving Premiership with 231 wins, 410 placings, and amassed $1.99m in purses.
The 23-year-old is again in front this season with 75 wins from 485 drives – seven more than Chris Alford.
“I’ve raced at Redcclife before and won a race up there. The ‘Trot Rods’ Series a great initiative. I love all the technology that they are using. It gives the patrons and viewers a very good insight into racing.
“There’s a lot of little things that go into it. I can’t wait to get up there and give it my best shot. It would be a real thrill to win it,” Ballarat-based Herbertson said.
Redcliffe Harness Racing Club President, Bernie Ring, , said he loved the Series. He initially spoke to his good friend, Herbertson, about coming up at a 60th family birthday party last year.
“It’s a great concept and one the Club is proud of. Anything that is different is good for racing. People like change and this has proved very popular over four years. It’s good to have James coming up and it is also great to have Otto Tuza on board again
“They have sponsored a three-horse angle float worth ??? the Trot Rods 2022 rug, $4,250 in prize money, and a $10,000 bonus.
“A special thanks to all participants, sponsors, and organisers,” Ring said.
“It has been well received in all parts of Australia, New Zealand, and even the northern hemisphere,” he added.
SUMMARY:
The heat results so far (with two races per night held on April 19, 26, and May 3) are:
Heat 6: The Grant Dixon trained and driven WONDERWOMAN JUJON (66.8).
Heat 5: The Grant Dixon trained and driven ARODA (64.6).
Heat 4: The Richard Hutchinson trained & Adam Richardson driven TUNGSTEN TERROR (65.6).
Heat 3: The Charlie Cini trained & Nathan Dawson driven BRONSKI DELIGHT (65.4).
Heat 2: The John Kerr trained & driven BERTILS FIREFOX (67.9).
Heat 1: The Bianca Hoop[er trained & Leonard Cain driven FLASH FREDDIE (66.2 seconds).
