It will be a special occasion on Saturday when the Alice Springs Turf Club honours jockey Paul “Dash” Denton and trainer Rene Taylor.
Denton, who has spent 40 years riding in the NT, is celebrating his 60th birthday and the second race on the five-event program at Pioneer Park has been named after him.
Kick-starting his career in Adelaide in 1979, Denton – who has also ridden in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and WA – had his first ride in the NT on January 1, 1983, in Alice Springs and currently sits on 1263 career wins.
Taylor started her training career in 2020, but is sadly recuperating following surgery in Adelaide after injuring her back when dislodged from a horse on November 20, and the last race on Saturday has been named after her.
Denton has had a successful NT career, winning every major race – he booted Anphina home in the NT Derby (2050m) in July for trainer Kerry Petrick during the Darwin Cup Carnival.
He will partner Petrick’s Zoutellus in his race and is booked to ride Petrick’s Real Divine and Flash Fiorente, as well as Lisa Whittle’s The Chaplain, this weekend.
Taylor, who has three horses in work, was working a horse along the banks of the Todd River behind the stable block located along Pioneer Park’s back straight when she had her accident.
With the help of Whittle, fellow trainer Carrol Hunter, and the ASTC, Taylor’s Tycoons Dior features in the opening race under the injured trainer’s name.
“There’s really no way to describe Paul’s impact on NT racing,” interim Alice Springs race-caller Shane Green said.
“He’s just a terrific fellow, a gentlemen, good company, very affable and approachable – I can’t speak highly enough of Paul Denton.
“He’s a wonderful rider – that was evident last week when he went up on Throw At Da Stumps and served it up to the in-form Red Wraith.
“Paul realised early that if he let Sonja Logan and Red Wraith have a soft run in front then it would just win, so he was quick to get up outside them and apply a heap of pressure.
“That proved to be a winning move – that was the experience of Dash coming to the fore.
“Rene, a long-time Alice Springs racing participant, had a nasty accident when she came off a young horse that she was educating.
“We’re all wishing Rene the very best.
“Hopefully, Paul and Rene can both get a win on Saturday.”
Looking at Saturday’s meeting, Green’s best are Ginger Creek (Race 2) and Great Buy (Race 4).
“Ginger Creek has had two runs back from a spell,” he said.
“Looked a little fat first up, but for its third run back he should be cherry ripe and good to go.
“Great Buy is going tremendously at the moment.
“He used to race in Victoria as Yulong Savings, but he’s now come to the Territory as Great Buy and he’s really hit his straps for the Terry Gillett stable.
“I think Real Divine can win the opening race – he was good first up last weekend when he ran fifth and if he has taken no harm he’ll be hard to beat.
“Macer’s Razor is racing well and can most certainly win the maiden.
“Took on some big guns two starts ago and was only beaten by four and a half lengths when third behind Supreme Times, who is an outstanding galloper.
“We’ll see Supreme Times go around on the weekend against Great Buy.
“Iknowhatyouredoing is a big hope in the last – he’s the top weight, but he’s a quality horse.
“I was a bit concerned first up in October following his Darwin campaign when he got way out the back.
“You wouldn’t have shot him with a 303 at the 600m mark, but he picked up ground late and with that run under his belt he should improve.”
Green, the Pioneer Park race-caller from 2006-2017, will continue to assist the ASTC until they find a permanent replacement for Dylan Bairstow.
“Dylan vacated the position at the end of the Carnival this year and relocated back to WA where he has taken up a role as one of the prime country race-callers,” Green said.
“He’s also taken over the training role from his father Mark, the former Geelong captain.
“I’m happy to fill in, but I’m in Darwin where I’m working – the lifestyle is too good up here.
“Chris Edwards called three or four meetings a couple of months ago, but decided the Alice Springs lifestyle wasn’t for him.
“There was a guy from Queensland who was thinking about coming over, but he also pulled the pin.
“Anybody that thinks they can call a race – of course you’ve got to have some ability – get in touch with the ASTC as they’re absolutely on the look out for a race-caller.”
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