Sue Pickford has experienced the thrills of the Casino Beef Week Cup Final from the edges - now she will be in the thick of the action herself.
The 56-year-old hobby owner/trainer has one of the two dogs on her books, Storm Maiden, going from box five in this Friday’s $3,000-to-the-winner-final.
Pickford’s previous experience of the race – one of the biggest dates of the year on the Northern Rivers circuit – has been as a handler for brother-in-law John Hewett's dogs.
Now Pickford, who is based in Doubtful Creek, close to Casino, will be firmly involved in the big race with one of her own charges.
“It’s a little bit exciting, but I won’t be getting carried away,” she said.
“It would be good to win it.
“Does she have a chance? I won’t commit myself.
“We’ll see how she is on the day.”
Pickford decided to give the dogs a go herself about three years ago and said she loved the taste of victory.
“It’s a big thrill,” she said.
“I actually get a bit teary-eyed when they win.”
The meeting at Queen Elizabeth Park is part of the annual Beef Week celebrations in the Northern Rivers town, which include other sporting and farming related events and celebrations.
Pickford certainly has her hands full, combining life with her dogs with a job as a pharmacy worker.
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“I handle it like with great skill and dexterity – like any woman,” she said with a smile.
“You cannot expect to win every time. There are always winners and losers.
“Some days are good and you might be on top of the world. Other days you think, ‘Why am I doing this’.
“It’s not all sunshine.”
Storm Maiden goes from box five and goes in to the 484m race as an outside shot.
She has a modest three wins and 14 other placings from 41 competitive starts but has been in handy form recently, placing in six of her last nine outings – all at Casino.
The Peter Simpson owned and trained Wild Roses (box two), who has a formidable record at the track, looms as the biggest threat to the field.
Box seven campaigner Rosealea has also been a multiple winner over 484m at Casino and will also be worthy of consideration.
The race is seven of 10 on offer and is off at 5.50pm.
Action at the meeting starts at 3.49pm.
