Summerveld based trainer Mark Dixon might need to use his Google Maps App on his phone to help him get to Scottsville later today as he has not had any runners for the past two months.

Dixon backed off his whole string recently and has not had any runners due to a virus going through the yard. Dixon says the virus was related to liver enzyme problems.

He has three runners at the Pietermaritzburg track today, his first runners since the set back.

“I am a bit in the dark as to how they will run,” commented Dixon, “but I suspect they might just need this run. In saying that, they all now seem well and are working very well. I am hoping they run big races. I have three nice runners and am hoping they will finish in the money.”

Quite a few yards countrywide have recently suffered from various virus infections and the horses recover at different rates depending on the severity of the infections.

Speaking to trainers, they say that it is tough to assess how horses will perform as they look good and work well but only once they race can you assess where you are with the virus.

Recently trainers Dennis Drier, Louis Goosen and Duncan Howells have been along the rough road and Dixon is hoping to see the end of it today.

By Warren Lenferna