The process of Tom Ison gaining a drive behind one of Kevin Pizzuto's horses in the opening heat of the 2021 Inter Dominion at Menangle last Saturday was as straightforward as it comes.
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"He made the phone call and I accepted, simple as that," Ison said.
And just like that, Ison was on his way to drive for the Sydney trainer.
The Tamworth reinsman was offered to drive pacer Arden Messi, who was listed as first emergency before gaining a run in the opening heat of the series.
Ison also surrendered five drives at Dubbo to take up the offer with Pizzuto who he had driven for on one other occasion.
"I drove a three-year-old for Kevin at Newcastle one night but that is the only drive that I have had for him and that was about 12 months ago," Ison said.
Ison only knew about Arden Messi from what he had read in the form guide.
"Kev said to me before the race this is the horse and this is our game plan, so let's see how it plays out," Ison said.
Arden Messi has been in the Pizzuto stables for just over a year after crossing the ditch from New Zealand.
The Bettors Delight-Tosca Hanover gelding's career statistics show 32 race starts for eight wins and 13 placings and just over $90,000 in prizemoney.
As a 100/1 shot, Arden Messi was pitted against race favourite King Of Swing from the McCarthy stable.
"King of Swing is a nice horse but when we scored up my horse, it felt as if he wanted to come out of the gate fast and when King of Swing rolled to the front we went to the inside running," Ison recalled.
Once the field had settled Ison and Arden Messi raced four back on the inside running line while King of Swing dominated the lead position.
"When I pulled my horse out, he had a good turn of foot," Ison added.
"I really like the horse. He was the first emergency and was lucky to get a run. He went good enough and deserved to be in the race - even if he was a $100/1 shot".
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Arden Messi finished fourth to King Of Swing after being held up over the last 150 metres.
King of Swing, a $1.25 race favourite, recorded a mile rate of 1.53.9 for 2400 metres in taking out the opening heat of the TAB Inter Dominion Pacing Championships with a winning margin of four metres over Majestic Cruiser (Cameron Hart) and Boncel Benjamin (Jack Trainor) a half head away third.
Ison will head to the second round of heats on Wednesday night at Bathurst, retaining the drive behind Arden Messi and commencing from the 10 barrier in the sixth heat.
"I was packing up my gear and Kev said I will see you at Bathurst on Wednesday night," Ison said.
"Dad and I will leave for Bathurst with plenty of time to spare so we can enjoy a couple of races and relax a bit before our heat then we will be back at Tamworth for the Thursday afternoon meeting."
The 23-year-old reinsman sees this as a possible pinnacle of his career
"It is the best invite I have had to drive a horse," Ison said.
"Especially when it is to drive in an Inter Dominion series.
"The Inter Dominion has never been on my radar. I just wanted to drive winners but being part of the Inter Dominion in with all the good horses and drivers - it is a very special race and series.
"It is the best way to do it - the horses contest four races over 10 days, different distances, plus they have to travel to Bathurst and Newcastle and then the final is back to Menangle to race over 3000 metres."
And Ison wants to be there.
"I hope to be in that final for sure," Ison said.
"If we had won the heat last Saturday night it would have been like a dream."
Pizzuto has four horses contesting the Inter Dominion Series Ison said: "I am sure he would like to win another final."
