Father Patrick 5yo starting to fulfil his potential

Father Barry (Father Patrick) may finally be ready to live up to his real harness racing potential.

Because the one who won at Alexandra Park on Friday night is good enough to edge his way toward open class.

That is where the John Dickie-trained trotter looked destined for right back at the start of his career, when he finished second in a Three-Year-Old Sires’ Stakes Final at just his second start.

He was second favourite in the Northern Trotting Derby a week later but galloped and there have been plenty of disappointments since.

But now as a five-year-old he is starting to deliver on that early promise and he was both fast and brave when downing the in-form Bolt For The Hill by a nose over 2200m mobile in a quick time on Friday.

“We think he is mentally getting stronger,” says Josh Dickie, who did the driving for his father.

“He has been disappointing in the past but the way he is racing now he could end up in a Rowe Cup next year.”

That gives the father and son a powerful trotting two-punch as their other talented young trotter Paramount Spur is getting better with every start and also looks like he could end up in good races as well.

“They are very different horses but we think they will both make it.”

The stable’s recent form has been a powerful reminder of just how good the Dickies are at their craft, especially with trotters.

“Now we are settled back in working with Dad we are keen to expand the stable a bit and there are so many opportunities for trotters up here that we’d be keen to take a few more on.”

Father Barry was one of the best on a night when trotters stole the show at Alexandra Park.

FATHER BARRY REPLAY

Franco Ronaldo made it two wins from three starts beating the older horses from behind a mobile, giving trainer Tony Herlihy a trotting double with Muscle Memory to continue a wonderful run of form.

And a newcomer who really caught the eye was Tactico, the debutante two-year-old, who lost and then won the $25,000 IRT Sires’ Stakes Prelude.

The bold going trotter was run down by hot favourite Duke of Bourbon but the latter was relegated to third for galloping late.

Regardless both young trotters look to have really exciting futures.

The Barry Purdon/Scott Phelan team may have had to cop that with Duke Of Bourbon but got two back over Team
Telfer later in the nigt when War Party and Fly High both won from in front and beat Telfer reps in doing so, with plenty of good performances between the two training powerhouses.

On a night of doubles Ray Green and Nathan Delany had a back-to-backer with Sammy Lincoln and Omaha Lincoln, the latter very impressive leaving maidens at his third start and he will be back at The Park next Friday for a Sires’ Stakes heat.

For complete race results, click here.

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand