'Knacky' spurring on Aldebaranstilinski in feature trot

By Jordan Gerrans

Whenever classy trotter Aldebaranstilinski wins, the Dawson clan knows that the late, great Ronald Knack would be looking down on them full of pride.

Trained by Mitchell Dawson and usually driven by his younger brother Nathan, Aldebaranstilinski has clean swept the heat stage of the Jim McNeil Trotting Championship so far and looms as one of the horses to beat in this Saturday’s decider.

Mitchell and Nathan’s grandfather Ronald Knack, who was known as Knacky by most, passed away in November of last year at 81 years of age. 

Knack was a long-time participant and track curator who dedicated much of his life to the code of harness racing.

It has been a torrid few months for the entire family following his shock passing.

Through the hard times, the five-year-old gelding has been able to bring the family together and put a smile on so many faces. 

Nathan’s wife Samantha Barletta is in the ownership group of Aldebaranstilinski, along with other family members and friends, while Nathan and Mitchell’s parents Wynetta and Glenn often take him into the track.

“It has been tough,” Wynetta said of the last few months following the loss of her father.

“The other night we were coming home from the track and that's what Nathan said, that Knacky would be looking down on us proud.

“He'd be definitely proud. Even Taleah McMullen said that the other day when Borsellino won for Mitchell, she thought Knacky would be proud and happy because Borsellino was his favourite horse.

“His memory's always going to live on when we're winning races, because we'd always come home and he would be so proud of us all.

“We're really lucky. It's probably what the industry really is, the roots are about family.”

The 31-year-old Mitchell only prepares a small team of horses, but he has started the 2026 campaign with a bang.

Aldebaranstilinski has won his last two efforts.

He has taken 13 starters to the track this year and has walked away with six victories.

Younger brother Nathan often grabs the headlines as one of the leading figures in the harness code in the Sunshine State, but Mitchell is certainly making his mark, as well.

“We are very happy with how they're going,” Mitchell said of his recent run of winners.

“We sort of culled a few numbers when Knacky passed away. 

"We now have a team of nice horses that we like to work, which is always a good thing. They're going well.”

Mitchell drives all his own trackwork at his Glamorgan Vale base.

Aldebaranstilinski enjoyed a strong 2025 when he won on five occasions and placed six more times from 17 trips to the races.

The son of Sebastian K has returned in smart order for the new year, quickly winning his two heats for the Jim McNeil Trotting Championship.

Trainer Mitchell believes tinkering with Aldebaranstilinski’s shoes has been key to his return form spike.

“I've just changed a bit of shoeing and he's quite confident at the moment,” the trainer said.

“He's going good. It seems he's in the zone.

“He galloped recently in a race and we just decided to change a bit of gear. It seems his gait has got a bit smoother than it has been from it.

“It seems like when he gets his confidence, it'll let him sort of put his feet where he wants. He seems to have that different touch of class and really let down in the straight. He has that real quick speed.”

Aldebaranstilinski posted winning margins of more than six metres in each of his two heat wins.

Nathan usually drives Aldebaranstilinski in his races, but he was on holiday over the last few weeks so Angus Garrard picked up the engagement.

With Nathan back in town this week, the top reinsman suggested keeping Garrard on the in-form square gaiter as they have built a solid partnership in recent weeks.

But, Garrard is set to head to Menangle for drives on Saturday evening so it will be Nathan back in the driver's seat for the $27,186 decider over 2647 metres.

Aldebaranstilinski will again be handicapped off 20 metres for Saturday’s Final.

To see her two sons competing in feature races together, Wynetta is most certainly a proud mother.

“Nathan will come over here and help us, help Mitch with shoeing and stuff like that,” she said.

“It makes you proud that they work together and at the races, Nathan takes control.

“Mitch isn't there at the races and Nathan looks after it all for him. So, you've got to be proud, they work together and are achieving their goals - that's what every parent wants.

“We're really lucky that they all work, all work together and get on well.

“They are respectable human beings and look out for each other. The harness racing game would be lost without families the way it is.”

If Aldebaranstilinski was to score on Saturday evening, it would be one of the biggest triumphs in Mitchell’s training career.

He claimed the 2024 Be Good Johnny Sprint with Wasa Heat Seeker, which is raced at Listed level.

But, following the passing of his beloved grandfather in recent months, it would be a poignant victory for his entire family.

Aldebaranstilinski will need to emulate the deeds of Needle who is the only winner to sweep both heats and the Final of the Championship since it has been run in its current format. 

Needle was successful in 2018.

The Jim McNeil series is named after the late businessman and horse owner who was a pioneer of trotting races in the Sunshine State, helping lift the horse population around Brisbane as well as increasing the profile of the form of racing.