By Michael Guerin
Talented driver Josh Dickie is hoping the next phase of his career can start with a win at Alexandra Park tonight.
Dickie partners last-start winner Father Barry for his father John in the opening race tonight, the $15,000 Classique Landscapers Metro heat and punters can expect to see him doing far more driving for the family and outside stables in the future.
Dickie and fiancée Sammy Kilgour have gone out on their own account after two years working for premiership trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer, that stint coming after the couple had been based in Victoria.
“We just thought it was time to try to build our own business,” says Dickie.
“We have a handful of horses and are training those alongside Dad on his property.
“We have nice numbers there now but are looking to grow so will be at the yearling sales next week and I’ll be looking to get back into more freelance driving.”
Dickie has driven 14 Group 1 winners and has already started to build his freelance contacts again now he is not tied to a stable.
“And we want to train more as well,” he explains.
“Dad was almost retired a couple of years ago but the three of us are enjoying being back working together so he says he will be sticking around for a few more years now too.
“So the next phase is exciting.”
Father Barry sits alongside Higher Power as one of the two most talented trotters in tonight’s opener but both can gallop so their clash could be decided by manners.
Higher Power’s trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan hold the key to a few of tonight’s races, with Sooner The Bettor favourite for the main handicap pace even off his 30m backmark.
Sooner The Bettor was a last-start third in the Auckland Cup and while his best performances come when able to lead or race handy, he only faces four rivals tonight so his handicap may not be enough to stop him winning.
Later in the night a rare mobile sprint for the better grade trotters could see American Muscle potentially the value option as she has produced some top class sprinting performances in the last year.