Hickmott can’t wait to hear the bunny roll again at Townsville track

By Pat McLeod

North Queensland industry stalwart Michael Hickmott is as keen as his race dogs to again hear the bunny roll at the Townsville track on Tuesday night.

The Showgrounds-based facility has been in annual shut-down since June 20 for the Townsville Show.

Hickmott, who was at the track when it first opened in 1976, has four starters and two reserves in the 12 race program. The club will also be racing on Saturday night.

“Yep, can’t wait,” was the 66-year-old’s summation of the return to racing.

“Unlike some of the other trainers from up here I didn’t go to Rockhampton during the closure.

“I have been spending plenty of time working with some young dogs. Two of them (Daddy’s Target and Daddy’s Money) will be having their first start on Tuesday night.

“So, it will be great to be back racing.”

Hickmott, who is based out of a 20-acre property at Bluewater, 30kms north of Townsville, will also have kennel trump Good Odds Rascal in on Tuesday night.

The recent Townsville Young Guns winner is well-boxed, coming out of the pink and is being set for the North Queensland Sprint over 380 metres, which will be contested on Townsville Cup night, August 25.

“He is not the best starter and so the wider alley will suit him,” Hickmott said of Good Odds Rascal.

“He’s a very good race dog with a beautiful nature.

“He’s a gentle giant, he races at 36-plus kilos.

“It’s just that he’s a bit lazy when it comes to training.

“On the track, he’s got a good turn of pace once his feet hit the ground. 

“I believe he has the ability to break the 380 metre track record at Townsville.”

Hickmott has the runs on the board in that regard with his dogs breaking ‘at least seven track records’ across his 40-year training career.

Semi-retired from the building trade and with 12 dogs in work at the moment, Hickmott says he is still enjoying the sport. However, there are aspects of yesteryear that he wishes would return.

“I recall the days when we would have 5,000 people and more than 30 bookmakers operating at the Thursday night meeting here in Townsville,” he recalls with enthusiasm.

“I was making good money and so the punt was a very lucrative part of the industry.

“I would also like to see more of the younger generation coming into the sport.

“I have no doubt that if they experienced what greyhound racing is about they would be hooked, just like I was all those years ago.

“Having young people around keeps you young. They have so much energy and enthusiasm. They certainly keep you on your toes.”

Hickmott says that money was never the driving influence for him in the sport and these days he gets most enjoyment from seeing the owners ‘get their money back’.

“Whether they are long-time owners or just new to greyhounds it is always great to see owners happy,” he said.

“And, of course when they are happy there is a good chance they will buy more dogs.”