Redcliffe record mare eyes retirement

By Josh Spasaro 

Ashlee Nitro currently holds the record for total wins at Redcliffe and she will soon enjoy life as a broodmare.

Caboolture trainer Stewart Dickson revealed this ahead of her 323rd career start, over 2040 metres, on Thursday.

The 10-year-old mare by Western Terror and out of Ashlees Gem has saluted on 35 occasions at the venue - the most of any standardbred - and has a total of 38 victories.

Dickson said he was excited about her broodmare potential.

“I’m thinking of putting her in foal this year. I’ll race her for a little bit, but I’m not getting any younger,” the veteran conditioner said.

“She’s a lovely mare. I’d keep her here and try with Vincent or For A Reason. I think they’d cross pretty well with her.

“She’s got her own ways, but she’s a racehorse and likes to race. I’m just playing it by ear at the moment, but I might put her in foal.”

In the meantime, Dickson said Ashlee Nitro was also close to winning her first race since April 2, which was 23 starts back, with Leonard Cain to drive from gate five on Thursday.

“She’s not far away from winning again. She’s just got to get the trip,” he said.

“She’s drawn a bit ordinary.”

Now with almost $219,000 in stakes earnings, Dickson conceded he did not envision his evergreen mare holding the record for most wins at Redcliffe.

“I suppose she’s done it, hasn’t she? I never thought she’d get to that stage, but she just keeps backing up,” he said.

“She drops a few points and then goes again and wins one. It’s been a bit of a trip.

“There are a few horses around her, but her brother Illbewatching, I think they’ve won over 60 races between them at Redcliffe.”

Another Redcliffe stalwart starting on Thursday will be Theresachance, over 1780 metres, for Graham White.

The South Park Hanover and Lizzie By Jove gelding, who turns 13 next month, is just one win behind Ashlee Nitro at Redcliffe, with 34.

“If her record gets broken, it gets broken. He’s been a bit of a legend horse, too,” Dickson said.

“No doubt she’s going to win a couple more.”

Another track marvel for Dickson is Lancelot Bromac, who had his last race two years ago.

He turns 17 on October 31 and registered 34 wins from a stunning 551 starts.

“He’s in the paddock retired. There’s only one of him,” Dickson said of the Art Major and Life Of Luxury gelding.

“He’s probably the most-started horse in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere.”

The long-term trainer added the key to longevity and sustained success with his horses was to not be too regimented with them.

“I just put them back to mother nature. They’re out in the paddock all day. None of this stabling them up or anything like that,” he said.

“They just run the place. They’ve got their mates and they just enjoy life. I’ve been doing it for 60 or more years. It’s part of my life.”

Dickson also likes seven-year-old mare Connies Spirit over 1780 metres at Redcliffe on Thursday.

She has 12 wins from 141 starts.

“I think Connies Spirit has got a good chance and she’ll get a good trip,” he said.