Tims A Trooper Photo by Club Menangle
CHAMPION pacer Leap To Fame will be at home resting, but trainer Grant Dixon still has four runners in his quest for a fifth win in the $106,070 Group 2 Redcliffe Gold Cup on Saturday night.
Dixon teamed with his father, the late Bill Dixon, to win the Cup in 2007 (Atomic Ark) and then trained and drove Majestic Major (2014) and Alleluia (2015) himself to victory.
Last year, Dixon’s wife Trista took the reins on Aroda for an all-the-way win.
“It’s been a good race to me and we’re going hard at the whole Cup meeting this year,” Dixon said.
“Obviously Leap To Fame is the headline act, but this is the best stable of horses I’ve ever had, full stop.
“Along with the four in the (Redcliffe) Cup, we’re also running quite a few in the Derby and Oaks.”
Team Dixon has three in the Derby, headed by stars Fate Awaits and Path To Greatness, along with five of the 10 runners in the Oaks where Captains Mistress and Cool And Classy are the biggest names.
The Oaks shapes as a real highlight on the night with Mick Stanley’s exciting Soho Americano drawing the pole, Rickie Alchin’s Sugar Pie Honey in four, while Cool And Classy (five) and Captains Mistress (11) will have to overcome bad draws.
For Fate Awaits and Path To Greatness, the Derby will be a key lead-up race before stepping up against four-year-olds in the $350,000 Group 1 Rising Sun at Albion Park on July 5.
They will have their work cut out to be young Kiwi star Rubira, who drew the pole in the $52,000 Redcliffe Derby. Path To Greatness has gate six and Fate Awaits is off the back row (gate eight).
Back to the Cup and the stable runners will be: Aroda, Free Thinker, Tims A Trooper, Captain Hammerhead and Miracle Mile.
Dixon confirmed he would drive Tims A Trooper and Trista would continue her association with Aroda, after winning on him.
Young NSW driver Jack Chapple, who is working for Team Dixon, will be aboard proven top level performer Captain Hammerhead.
Dixon thinks Aroda is peaking at the right time to successfully defend his crown, but he will have to overcome a 10m handicap compared to the front mark he won off last year.
“He’s earned it, winning last and winning the Flashing Red last start, but it’s a lot harder off 10m,” he said.
“In saying that, he’s right back to his best, if not better than ever, after his trip to NZ late last year and it’s a very even race. There’s no standout star.”
Captain Hammerhead and Tims A Trooper are also off 10m handicaps, while Mathew Neilson will drive Free Thinker from the pole.
Team Dixon also has two runners – Banff and Taylad To Use – in the Redcliffe Trotters’ Cup.
PHOTO: Club Menangle
