Collect A Dime defies the odds

Around the stables Collect A Dime is known as “Ian” – a somewhat insanely peculiar name for an equine athlete who has defied the odds in many ways.

Don’t get me wrong, the world is filled with famous people with the name Ian, a given name steeped in rich history throughout, of all countries, Scotland.

Well known identities carrying the Christian name Ian includes Thorpe, Chappell, Craig, Maurice, Anderson, McKellen, Wright and Roberts among many others.

And within the harness racing industry, Ian Gurney springs to mind. Oddly, Gurney has a link to Collect A Dime.

Back in 2014, Gurney purchased several youngsters from the Sydney Australian Pacing Gold Yearling Sales before placing them in the care of leading horseman Luke McCarthy at his Cobbitty base.

Unfortunately, several failed to make the cut including an Art Major – Its Only Money filly who was later offered for sale for a modest amount.

Enter Jess Turnbull, wife of well-known breaker, educator and trainer Josh.

“I remember speaking to Gurney and he said buy her and give her a go. He said she’s well bred, and a few wins could only enhance her value as a broodmare. At the time, we were just thinking of buying her as a broodmare,” Josh explained.

Its Only Money is a daughter of Albert Albert and managed to put together a solid record on the racetrack with 16 victories and 22 minor placings from 60 starts while banking more than $115,000 for respected owner/breeder Matthew Sandblom.

Shes A Dime is the third foal from Its Only Money and second winner following Dee Dees Mach.

At the track, Shes A Dime collected two wins from 26 starts, her maiden victory coming via Bathurst for Turnbull while she also managed to score at Redcliffe for Jack Butler before retirement.

The Turnbull’s searched far and wide to find a consort for the newly retired mare, all stallions considered but they clearly wanted value for money.

Ultimately, the QBRED incentive scheme stood out above all the others.

“We threw around several names but the QBRED system is without doubt the best breeders’ scheme in the country. That’s why we focused heavily on it. Plus, Kevin Seymour and Egmont Park Stud were rolling out several offers for their stallions at the time and we took the opportunity to book her to Gotta Go Cullect,” Josh said. 

“He was a bargain price, but his credentials were strong. You couldn’t knock him for what he did on the track. As a bonus, we got a colt, and he was quite correct as a type.

“I broke him in, and the early report was pleasing. He was a little casual and hard to switch on but good gaited and it was obvious he was going to make it as a two-year-old.”

Following some pleasing trial efforts, Collect A Dime made a winning debut at Bathurst on February 21, 2021, with younger brother Mitch taking the winning drive.

In 18 two-year-old starts, Collect A Dime won twice and had three minor placings before going for a spell.

Upon returning for his three-year-old campaign, disaster struck when he broke his nearside front pedal bone after just six starts.

Given he was still eligible for his QBRED bonuses, all care was taken to ensure he would make a full and complete recovery.

After 18 months away from the racetrack Collect A Dime was switched to the Logan Village stable of Jack Butler.

Collect A Dime scored second-up at Redcliffe, but a run of perplexing efforts left Butler mystified.

In a race at Albion Park on March 1, 2024, Collect A Dime and driver Adam Richardson were involved in a race fall that unseated Richardson.

“It was one those incidents, it happened quickly but he escaped with no injuries whatsoever while Adam was a little worse for wear,” Butler said.

“It obviously had an effect on him because he went onto win five of his next six starts, all at Albion Park, while being placed at his next nine starts. He was a different horse following the fall, he became a switched-on racehorse.” 

Spanning 10 weeks, from March to mid-May last year, Collect A Dime hit peak form and young reinsman Nathan Rothwell became a regular partner for the talented pacer.

Despite rising rapidly through the grades, his form always remained consistent and genuine excuses could be tabled when he finished well down the line on the rare occasions.

Typical of the Standardbred breed, Collect A Dime is the epitome of toughness and durability. He rarely spells and thrives on his training and racing routine.

Earlier this year, between March and April, Collect A Dime registered another Albion Park hattrick including a new PB of 1:51.6. And the Butler family love having around the stables.

“Ian is such a dude; he’s very chilled and relaxed, sometimes he’s a little dopey but extremely cool and a pleasure to do anything with, there’s no vices,” reinsperson Chloe Butler outlined.

“He jogs and swims every morning while he has a little canter every Wednesday in readiness for racing on Saturday night. He’s a good eater and a mainstay of our stable. He’s done an awesome job.” 

With 15 wins, 12 at Albion Park and earnings over $110,000 plus his QBRED bonuses, it’s been a shrewd move in sending the nondescript type to Queensland.

Collect A Dime has graduated to open class so life will become infinitely harder, but the Butlers aren’t worried.

“There’s no place to hide at that level, but he’ll follow speed all day long, whether he passes the better types remains to be seen but we’ll give him his chance,” Jack said.

“Surprisingly, we’ve never taken a call about him from North America but that’s ok, he doesn’t owe anyone anything.” 

Jess and Josh Turnbull had flagged that a trip to Menangle could be on the cards if his form warranted it, and it did - with the pacer having now started in three races in Sydney.

Good onya Ian!

Hoofnote: Shes A Dime is also the dame of Lucky Punt (by Ohoka Punter), a winner of four races to date including a PB  of 1:54.0 at Bathurst in January.