Nathan Dawson believes an increased level of maturity in the sulky is behind his stunning campaign in 2023 that he hopes will end in breaking the rare 300 winners milestone.
Still with over a week to go in May, Dawson has 155 victories his name on the track this year.
Like his cousin Pete McMullen did two campaigns ago, Dawson is shooting to surpass the 300 winners tally for the season.
McMullen become the first Sunshine State-based reinsman to do so when he eclipsed the milestone in 2021.
The younger of the cousins – Dawson – is on track to follow in McMullen’s footsteps this season.
McMullen finished on 315 two years ago and Dawson is on track finish at a similar number if he can avoid injury and suspension.
He will use the Trot Rods finale night on Wednesday evening as another opportunity to continue to stack up winners.
A total of five selected drivers will drive in each of the 10 heats on the Trot Rods finale night on Wednesday at Redcliffe.
While Dawson is a softly spoken individual at the best of times, he has made no secret of his ambitions to break the triple ton milestone this season.
“I am aiming for 300 for the season, so to be halfway just short of halfway through the year, it is a pretty good effort,” he said.
“I have got my mindset on 300 and while there is a long way to go in the season, it is looking good so far. It is quite a good milestone.
“I have got my little thing that I stick by, with the winners and the days of the year, so if I can keep above that rate then I am in good stead for finishing the season off where I want too.”
He recently drove in five winners on one single day at Albion Park.
The Group 1-winning Dawson has gone past the 200 wins barrier on four occasions previously in his career, posting his highest mark in the 2019-20 campaign with 255.
Earlier this year Dawson become the fastest ever Australian driver to 100 wins in a season, doing so in just 86 days, beating Chris Alford and Daryl Douglas, who previously shared the record of 87 days.
While the 27-year-old has had some huge seasons in the bike across his career, he believes an increased level of maturity is behind his strong pace towards 300 in 2023.
“I think my driving, I don’t take as many risks as I used to but I seem to be getting the same results, which is good,” he revealed.
“I am probably driving horses to their style now compared to previously I would drive them to my style.
“That is probably the main reason I am having more success this season, I am giving the horse more of an opportunity to race in their normal pattern.”
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