Veteran pacer joins exclusive club

By Jordan Gerrans

To reach 400 career races, Caboolture trainer Stewart Dickson thinks evergreen pacer Lancelot Bromac must have a massive heart and extraordinary will to compete.

And, after going around for the 400^th time, the long-time trainer does not think the veteran pacer will retire any time soon, declaring he still has plenty of juice left in the tank.

The 11-year-old reached the magical 400 milestone on Tuesday at Albion Park, running an excellent race to finish second, and become just the fourth pacer to ever race on 400 different occasions.

Dickson, who has nine horses in work, says Lancelot Bromac can get a little cranky in his old age, but still just loves going to the races.

“He has been a great horse to me, he has no hiccups and loves going to the races,” Dickson said.

“He gets trained out of a paddock all of the time and has the run of the place.

“He never leaves feed or an oat, he goes for a buck and kick around the paddock, he gets a swim and we do not overdo him at home - he just keeps ticking along.

“He has never raced against bad horses, he always goes sub two-minute mile races every time he goes around, he must be pretty big in the heart to be able to do that.”

Dickson owns half of the winner of 28 career races.

Fellow part-owner of Lancelot Bromac, Mitch Manners, who is an NSW race caller for Sky Racing, lauded the veteran’s efforts.

“What an old marvel he is and even more special to be a part of the journey with Stew,” Manners said.

“He’s a bloody ripper.

“And, runs his 63rd second placing of his career at start 400. 

“He’s a good boy.”

Queenslander Manners has been a friend of Dickson’s family over the years and bought into the pacer after his old owners decided to sell out.

The winner of $316,181 in career prize money has a cult following, his trainer believes.

“He is the people’s horse, everyone knows Lancelot Bromac,” Dickson said.

“He has got a good following, I get a few text messages about him pretty often, I got some the other day congratulating him on 400.

“I should know of all of his traits now after 395 starts with him.”

Dickson, who is in his 70's these days, takes it week-to-week with what he will do with his experienced pacer, just picking out a suitable race and says he thrives on going to the races every week.

Over his career, Lancelot Bromac has always battled a lack of gate speed but has been able to overcome it.

“He will be going for a bit longer yet, he only just got beaten the other day at Albion Park, he ran a good time there,” Dickson said.

“I could not see any sense in retiring him yet.

“He still has the will to race.

“He is still a very competitive horse; his record speaks for itself.”

Darren "Dashman" Clayton's facts about Lancelot Bromac:

• Just four other pacers have ever reached this milestone of 400 career starts.
• He has won 28 races, driven to success by 10 individual drivers: Amanda Turnbull, Angus Garrard, Bart Cockburn, Brad Cowen, Brendan Barnes, Dannielle Veivers x6, Hayden Barnes x4, Nathan Dawson x3, Pete McMullen x9 and Shane Graham.
• He has raced on four tracks - Albion Park, Redcliffe, Gold Coast and Kilcoy - for 27 wins at Albion Park with his first ever win at Gold Coast. At Heaquarters, he has won from all barrier positions except barrier 10.
• Trained by Shannon Price for his first five starts, he has been with Stewart Dickson ever since. Has a best win of 1.53.8 and joins Destreos, Mister Skye Rocket, I’m Born to Rule and Cane Smoke in the 400 club.