Young trainer Summer Dickson is daring to dream that her promising filly Karijini Aurora can lead her to big time racing in the coming months.
And going on early results Dickson could be on the mark. The daughter of Trade Fair is building an impressive body of work in her maiden campaign.
After suffering her only loss when fourth to another budding three-year-old Cliffs Of Comfort on debut in March, Karijini Aurora has reeled of three successive wins.
The hat trick came at Albany on Sunday when she proved too classy for her rivals in the Tabtouch Ladies Bracelet (1600m), winning by just under a length.
For Dickson, in just her second season of training, it was the high point of her fledgling career. She says Karijini Aurora is a nice filly with plenty of upside.
“She has proven to be a good horse and has come a long way,” Dickson told The Races WA.
“This is only her first preparation, she came to me straight from the breakers.
“When I jumped her out I knew she was going to be a little bit special.
“I’m not going to push her too much, she might have another race before I give her a short spell.
“But the way she pulled up after Albany was a little too good to be true.
“For her to carry 58kg, stand on a float six hours each way and to come home and eat up as she did shows you how tough and versatile she is.
“I will probably aim her at one metro 1600m event or a 3YO race, if she handles that well we will continue stepping up the grades.
“We will let the horse step up gradually, but if she is performing well enough we will look at something like the Belmont Guineas.”
It’s almost 12-months to the day since Dickson landed her first city win as a trainer after Summer’s Skye defeated Spiritual Warrior at Ascot.
It was an emotional triumph with the mare carrying the colours of Dickson’s sister Hana, who tragically died in a riding accident, four years ago, aged 31.
Dickson, proudly following in the footsteps of her sister as a trainer, said Karijini Aurora’s success is the confidence boost every young trainer seeks.
“A lot of horses that I have in the stable have little problems and a few issues,” Dickson said.
“She and another horse are the only ones that I’ve had from the get-go.
“It’s confidence in my own ability as well and that I am doing the right thing with the right horses.
“To win a race is great, but to have a horse win three races in a row I never really anticipated that.
“I’m always waiting for disappointments as a lot of horses work really well, but don’t really put it into race day.”
Like all good fillies Karijini Aurora has an attitude and her quirks, but for Dickson, as long as she continues to perform when it matters most, she is happy to play second fiddle.
“She is a Trade Fair and one of those horses that you have a negotiation with,” Dickson said.
“I do it her way and we work along well.
“All the horses in our stable are well cared for, but what she says goes.”
The Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m) is a feature winter race for three-year-olds.
A prize purse of $100,000, it’s staged at Belmont on June 20.
Julio Santarelli