Mind games could get Pickard’s youngster through

By Josh Spasaro

Carol Pickard has been impressed with the natural speed of Pickin’ Pixies, but just as importantly the trainer believes she has a mind that could see her have a good chasing career.

The two-year-old bitch will be one to look out for from box seven in a competitive second Townsville Young Guns heat over 380 metres on Tuesday night.

She has won her past two starts over five and nine-and-a-quarter lengths, respectively.

“She’s a good little girl. I think she’s got her head screwed on right. So, we’ll just see how she goes,” Pickard said.

“I’m hoping she’ll do all right. Her past two races have been really good.

“She’s got a little bit of pace behind her, but she’s got to get clear running.”

After winning by almost 10 lengths from the seven box at Townsville on November 28, Pickard said she was happy to see Pickin’ Pixies again draw the same lane for Tuesday night’s heat.

“The seven box will probably suit her a little bit better. Hopefully she’ll get a clear run and run around them,” she said.

“But, anything can happen in the race. There are a few good dogs in there, as well. It’s a very strong field. I’m just hoping she gets around nice, easy and safe.

“There are a lot of good dogs up here, a lot of good trainers. Every race you go into and you draw, you look at the field and think ‘it’s a real strong field’.”

Carol and Greg Pickard share a close friendship with Jamie Hosking from their time training dogs in Darwin.

That was when Hosking was the Top End’s premier conditioner before he relocated to Churchable in late 2018.

Carol and Greg Pickard moved back to Townsville over eight years ago to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

The dam of Pickin’ Pixies, Micks Recall, was trained by Hosking and she is by Aussie Infrared.

Pickard said her juvenile with two wins from six starts has been well bred.

“She’s very quick when she gets going. I think she’s got a bit of pace behind her if she can get out. She’s just a nice little bitch,” she said.

She added she still has a good connection with Darwin Cup-winning conditioner, Hosking.

“We’re very good friends and we’ve got a very good working relationship," she said.

“We swap dogs over. It’s very good.”

Pickard will also oversee fellow two-year-old bitch Hollywood Diva starting from box eight in the fourth Townsville Young Guns heat on Tuesday night.

She, too, has shown early promise, saluting in three of her past four starts.

And, she also won by a massive margin via the eight box on November 21, saluting by eight-and-three-quarter lengths.

She again drew the outer lane for her heat this week, after winning on the line despite missing the start last Friday.

By Hooked On Scotch and out of Sky’s The Limit, Hollywood Diva is blessed with a strong physique and long stride.

“She looks very good when she’s stretching out and taking off,” Pickard said.

“She’s got a bit of pace as well. But, same thing – she’s got to have her own way.

“A little bump she gets could cost her the race. I’m happy she’s drawn the outside. She seems to like that.”

Pickard – who trains 11 dogs alongside husband Greg – is confident both Pickin’ Pixies and Hollywood Diva can notch up plenty more wins.

“I think they’ll go far,” she said.

"As long as they get around safely, that’s half the battle.”