By Duane Ranger
Kelli Dawson only has one drive at Albion Park this Saturday night, but don’t be surprised if the talented Somerset horsewoman completes the night with two victories.
Dawson trains the five-year-old Mach Three gelding, Cool Scooter (3), in the second event, with her older brother Trent will again do the driving.
An hour later, she will be in the driver’s seat behind the six-year-old gelding, Feelingforamiracle (2) in race four - the son of Mr Feelgood is trained by Dawson’s father, Geoff.
Both pacers opened the $3.80 and $3.20 favourites respectively.
“I’ll be surprised if either of them finish out of the money,” Dawson said.
“Dad has got Feelingforamiracle going real well at the moment, and they have both drawn well, and can both get off the gate.”
Dawson was born into harness racing and has been driving horses for 15 seasons.
“I started when I was 16, I got into it straight after I left Ipswich State High School,” she said.
“I think I’ve driven about 460 winners and I’ve always trained a few, but since Rob Essex joined the team a couple of years, ago my numbers have really lifted - he’s been a huge help.
“I’ve got no champions. I’m still waiting for him or her to come along, but I’ve got a few favourites, like Maywyns Courage (10 wins from 33 starts).
“I love harness racing, it’s all I’ve known and there’s a few of us Dawsons, and relations out there.”
Dawson’s comments regarding both geldings engaged at Albion Park tomorrow:
Race 2: The Kelli Dawson trained and Trent Dawson driven COOL SCOOTER (3) - 51545 - $3.80:
“He has drawn 8, 8 and 6 since Trent drove him to win on the track four starts back.”
“This draw suits him much better because he can do the hard yards and still kick on when it counts.
“He can be a bit of a trick at times and that’s why I’ve got Trent on him because he can drive him harder.
“He’s the type of horse who goes all day, so from three he should be near or on the lead.
“I’d be surprised if he wasn’t in the first three from the draw.”
Race 4: The Geoff Dawson trained and Kelli Dawson driven FEELINGFORAMIRACLE (2) – 534x1 - $3.20:
“Bay gelding who is having just his second run back since January.”
“He won well first-up here (by 4.7m) last start (April 4) from a similar draw (3) and should strip even fitter tomorrow.
“He does like to play a few games, but if he steps it up, and I know he can, then he can go very close here.
“I’ll be looking for the lead because he likes it best there, he can bowl along quite nicely and doesn’t like other horses getting near him.
“He rarely hands up and if we can’t get to the front he’s still tough enough to kick on and go close.
“Both horses have got nice draws and with the trip both can get some of it, I don’t prefer one over the other.”