Rising country star conquers Canterbury

Tom Walter - Wednesday July 26

Mudgee galloper Nictock enhanced his imposing record to five from six when winning the All Too Hard @ Vinery Handicap (1100m) at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Advertisement
Mudgee trainer Cameron Crockett leads in Barbass after winning the Scone Inglis 2YO Challenge last year. Photo: Steve Hart

Trainer Cameron Crockett booked the services of fellow NSW Central Westerner and leading jockey Hugh Bowman for the ride on Nictock ($2.30 fav) and got the desired outcome.

Bowman sent the son of Nicconi to the lead and the pair were never headed, holding a half-length margin on the Matthew Smith-trained Rebel Miss ($9) at the post. Allan Denham's Phuket ($5.50) finished a further 1-1/4 lengths back in third.

"With the scratchings he looked quite nicely placed. The wide draw didn't look good in a full field but with the scratchings out it wasn't the end of the world," Bowman said.

"He travelled well and showed what he's capable of."

Nictock's only blemish on his record came after a third-place finish in a Randwick Highway race in heavy (10) conditions last month.

"The heavy track probably brought us undone in the Highway," Crockett said.

"After his Highway run we game him four weeks just to freshen-up. Took him to Wellington basically for a barrier trial, I didn't think he would necessarily win, but this race today was always on the agenda if he had won.

"It's come off so it's great."

As Nictock is no longer eligible for the Highway series, Crockett said he would likely send the three-year-old for a spell before considering future races.

"I think his benchmark will be a bit too high for these midweek races now," he said.

"I'm not sure that the strength is quite there for a Saturday just yet so we might have to give him a little break and hope he comes back stronger so he can be competitive in the summer time."

The win took Bowman 2-1/2 wins clear of rival Brenton Avdulla in the Sydney Jockeys' Premiership.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Stefi Magnetica Smashes Through $7m Mark
Already a dual Group1 winner, Bjorn Baker’s 5yo All Too Hard mare Stefi Magnetica added the $2m Group 2 ATC The Invitational (1400m) to her impressive record, with her earnings smashing through the $7m mark for her ownership group headed by the Cunningham family.
2025 Cox Plate Result - Fastnet Rock and Waller Quinella
A genuine champion sire should be able to produce the horses that win the very best races in the country in which they stand and the late great Fastnet Rock have us a demonstration of that when his high class Northern Hemisphere bred offspring Via Sistina (IRE) and Buckaroo (GB) fought out an epic finish to the $6million Group I MVRC WS Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Lindermann Cracks $4million in Earnings
Gelded after losing form following his tenacious victory in the 2023 Group I ATC Rosehill Guineas, the Chris Waller trained Lindemann has embraced life as a gelding and has been on fire this spring racking up a series of lucrative wins including the $750,000 Group III ATC Craven Plate (1800m) at Randwick on Saturday.
First Winner for Home Affairs
Exciting young sire Home Affairs opened his account with his first winner in New Zealand on Saturday with a dominant debut victory for race favourite Harvey Wallbanger at Ellerslie.
Blueblood Lonhro Colt Wins G1 Spring Champion
At the start of August we ran a story about the 3YO’s that were entered for this year Cox Plate and aside from the usual suspects there were some ‘Cox Plate dreamers’ and one of them was unraced Lonhro colt Attica, who capped his meteoric rise to fame with a thrilling victory in the $2million Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
G2 McEwen Stakes To Jigsaw - Fifth Black Type Victory
A previous Group 2 winner at Moonee Valley a few years back, Jigsaw’s connections would’ve headed into Saturday’s Group 2 MVRC McEwen Stakes (1200m) with a level of confidence despite tackling last start Group 1 MVRC Manikato Stakes winner Charm Stone.
VRC Derby Favourite Strengthens His Chances With G2 Vase Win
When breaking his maiden by five lengths at just his second start last season, Ghaiyyath's colt Observer looked to have above average ability, but it was his third last start in the Group 1 MRC Caulfield Guineas (1600m) that had everybody talking about the exciting prospect.
Nictock eyeing off Saturday grade after strong win
Mudgee trainer Cameron Crockett is hoping stable star Nictock can provide him with his first Saturday metropolitan win after the gelding took his record to six wins from seven starts at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Invincible Colt Wins $1million G2 Callander Presnell for Godolphin
Progressive I Am Invincible colt Ohope won the $1million ATC Tapp Craig (1400m) at his previous start, however was not rewarded officially with Black Type for that result, but he did achieve stakes-winner status at Randwick on Saturday when scoring a determined win over quality colt Rivellino in the $1million ATC Callander Presnell (1600m).
Von Hauke Wins G2 Crystal Mile - Half-Brother NZB Ready to Run
The Cliff Brown-trained Von Hauke swamped his rivals late under a patient rider from Ethan Brown to land the Gr.2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at The Valley on Saturday.