VETERAN hobby trainer Terry Ackerly only ever has two dogs in work at any one time and the duo presently residing in his kennels at Summerhill have made him a regular visitor to the winner’s circle of late.
Hifive Marsha made it two wins from her past four starts when she delivered the goods in a juvenile over 461 metres at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart last night.
The Give Me Five-Mountain Brook bitch got up in the last few strides, coming from beyond midfield at the half-way mark.
It was one of the most impressive wins on the 11-event card and one that Ackerly applauded.
“That’s was a tough win and it’s typical of how she’s going about her racing these days,” he said.
Hifive Marsha has gone ahead in leaps and bounds in recent times and the trainer attributes her change of attitude to a different training regime.
“”A few months back she was a bit timid in her races but walking her early mornings and being around traffic and people has made her more alert and not so worried about things.”
“I don’t mind walking machines but for these two dogs it’s better to have them road walking,” he said.
Ackerly, 66, trained his first winner about 34 years ago.
“I won my first race with a dog named When A Win that was owned by a Wally Knott and Bill Day.”
“I can remember it as if it was yesterday.”
“Even back when I first started out I only ever had two dogs.”
The litter mate to Hifive Marsha is Smiley On Fire and she too has been a very consistent chaser.
Smiley On Fire is recovering from a leg injury that could keep her out of action for another three months.
Ackerly has trained on and off for the past 34 years and in that time he has boxed some smart gallopers including Karloo’s Wish and McKenzie Drive.
“I’ve had some good ones pass through the kennel over the years and probably McKenzie Madness had the most potential,” he said.