By Michael Guerin
Northern harness racing fans will get a preview of the return of the prodigal son tonight.
Because while top class horseman Joshua Dickie isn’t returning home for good just yet he is only weeks away.
Dickie, the multiple Group 1-winning driver and son of top trainer John Dickie, has been living in Victoria for the last two years training a small team on the property of his partner Samantha Kilgour.
But Dickie is set for a permanent return home after being offered a role that includes being the North Island driver for the premiership-winning Stonewall Stud stables run by Steve Telfer.
So while he and Kilgour don’t officially return to live in New Zealand until next month Dickie will drive six horses at tonight’s meeting as well as return for the New Year’s Eve meeting.
“We have really enjoyed our time in Victoria but we are both looking forward to getting back there,” said Dickie.
“The job at Stonewall is too good to pass up and while he have a few loose ends here to sort out they (Stonewall) have been great about it.
“I love driving at home and think it probably suits my style better than over here but driving here has been good for me too.”
The 32-year-old Dickie will partner defending champion Allamericanlover in the $110,000 Queen Of Hearts tonight and says while she will need luck from the second line he is thrilled to be leaping straight back into the big time on his home track.
“Steve (Telfer) has also go me on a couple of their two-year-olds who are obviously very nice horses so it should be a good preview of what is to come.”
