3 minute read

It all fell apart for Karli's Karma in the Railway Stakes, but trainer Summer Dickson lives by the racing adage that you should be prepared to forgive one poor performance from a good horse.

It's a salient reminder for Dickson who despite the Railway Stakes flop is not prepared to write off Karli's Karma in Saturday's inaugural G3 The TABtouch-Gold Rush (1400m).

Karli's Karma went into Railway Stakes in excellent form and shot into genuine contention after her outstanding second to Massimo in the G2 WAROA-Lee Steere Stakes (1400m).

A month between runs after failing to gain a start in the Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) and in her first attempt at weight-for-age, she won a heap of admirers despite the loss.

Karli's Karma faded to finish 13th in the Railway Stakes and the only explanation Dickson can give is the mare didn't appreciate racing between other runners.

As a trainer who wears her heart on her sleeve and sets high personal standards, Dickson said after going into the Railway Stakes with big ambitions, she took the loss hard.

"I wasn't disappointed in the horse," Dickson told The Races WA

"Because I'm very hard on myself, I felt like I let a lot of people down.

"That was what I was most disappointed about.

"I was very confident in the horse and there was a lot of expectations.

"I wasn't disappointed in the horse, I wasn't disappointed in the rider, I was more disappointed that I let people down.

"That's the hardest thing to get over because for a few days I was walking around with my head low.

"I was really feeling sorry for myself and thinking about what other people were saying.

"At the end of the day I had a horse who couldn't even stretch out, she's a big mare who needs a lot of room and she didn't get that."

Karli's Karma had a thorough going over by the vets after the Railway and was given the tick of approval.

Dickson flirted with dropping her back to the fillies and mares series, but it was a fleeting thought only.

18-days between runs and the opportunity of bouncing back in a rich $1.5 million race was too tempting.

"I'm aiming high but the major reason I'm going to the Gold Rush is because I truly believe three weeks between running is beneficial to this horse," Dickson said.

"Sometimes in training you have to listen to your gut and there has been a few times when I haven't.

"I get angry when I don't trust myself, but in this circumstance I'm going to trust my gut."

The TABtouch-Gold Rush barrier draw will be conducted at Frasers Restaurant in Perth this afternoon.

Dickson said anywhere other than barrier one would be ideal for Karli's Karma.

The 16 Gold Rush acceptors include Vilana and Kementari from the all-conquering Godolphin team.

Vilana, who missed the Winterbottom with a minor leg injury, is in doubt again after trainer James Cummings confirmed this morning the four-year-old has a suspected foot abscess.

A winner of the Silver Eagle and The Hunter before arriving in Perth, Vilana will undergo a veterinary examination on Friday.

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