Sleepless nights worth it for rookie trainer Cameron Dixon

By Jordan Gerrans

All the sleepless nights of late are now finally worth it for Alpha horseman Cameron Dixon.

The 32-year-old is the only trainer based in the small Central West town of the Sunshine State after commencing his training career earlier this month.

Dixon has been around the gallopers for much of his life.

The former jockey rode in races across Australia for around a decade before weight eventually got the best of him and he was forced to step away back in 2018.

He competed in metropolitan races in Brisbane and Melbourne but admits he has experienced new emotions over the last few weeks that he never faced when he was a jockey.

“You do not realise how stressful it is until you start training,” Dixon said on Monday morning.

“I am usually a pretty casual guy but when it comes to racing now, I get nervous and stress – I have not had much sleep lately.

“I never felt like this when I was riding, I never felt pressure back then but training is a bit different.”

Dixon collected his maiden victory as a trainer on Saturday afternoon at Longreach and is now hopeful his emotions can go back to normal.

“I always wanted to get a winner and it has only taken me three starters so hopefully the nerves can settle down now,” he said.

He broke through for his first win as a licensed trainer at just his third attempt.

Monsieur Macron was the rookie trainer's first starter at Barcaldine just a few weeks ago and the veteran gelding handed Dixon the triumph he had been searching for.

The eight-year-old bay was previously prepared in Central Queensland by Jamie McConachy before the owners of Monsieur Macron opted to give the fledgling trainer an opportunity.

The son of Swiss Ace was off the racing scene for the best part of a year recovering from an injury and was spelling at Alpha.

Dixon offered to take on the galloper himself to connections, who decided to take a chance on the untried trainer.

While stoked to prepare his own maiden victory as a trainer on Saturday, Dixon was also proud to be able to repay the faith the ownership group of Monsieur Macron showed in him.

“It was a big thrill,” he said.

“I have only had the three starters and the owners have really stuck by me with this horse.

“I did not think he could win really because he is not properly fit yet.

“I was over the moon on Saturday as it is everything you work for every morning and afternoon.”

Monsieur Macron got the money by a nose in the Open Handicap over 1100 metres with hoop Dakota Graham taking the ride.

It was Graham’s first victory in the saddle since late 2021.

Before calling time on his own riding career, Dixon collected just over 150 winners, with the majority of those coming on the country circuit in Queensland.

He hails from the Tamworth area of NSW while also spending a period of time riding in Victoria for the Neil Dyer camp.

Dixon was a heavyweight for much of his time riding in races and it eventually got the best of him.

“I am a pretty tall bloke as well as being big boned,” he said.

“I was just wasting and not eating, which led to me always being cranky at people.

“I decided to give it away.”

He last rode in a race in May of 2018.

The retired hoop stayed in contact with the industry by helping out trainer Patrick O'Toole at Barcaldine before he took out a licence of his own.

Dixon is hoping to expand his stable in the next few months, with potentially as many as four in work.

The rookie trainer rides all his own track work at Alpha Jockey Club.

Monsieur Macron is now likely to be targeted towards the Battle of the Bush qualifier at Longreach early next month.