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...
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.
Third Stakes Success For Justify’s Spicy Martini
A winner of four from six, three at stakes level highlighted by the reschedule Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m), the Toby Edmonds & Stephen McLean trained Spicy Martini (Justify) will now head to the Group 1 Stradbroke with just 49.5kgs on her back – not bad for an $8,000 online yearling purchase!
$1500 Weanling Becomes $525,000 Top Lot at MM National Yearling Finale
A colt by Harry Angel set a new benchmark in Australia for his sire and topped the final day of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale when selling for $525,000 to conclude a hugely successful two weeks of sales.
Written By Filly Dominates Warwick Farm Juvenile Contest
First seen at the two-year-old trials back in September, Marc Conners’ chestnut filly Penpel (Written By) produce a quality effort at just her second racetrack appearance, racing clear at Warwick Farm to score by more than three lengths.
Blueblood Import - American-Bred Jillaroo Records First Win
Purchased at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Ciaron Maher, the now 4yo mare Jillaroo (USA) (Curlin) initially started her racing career in the United States but after an Australian debut second at Caulfield in early May, recorded her maiden victory at Doomben.
Stakes Performed Zousain Filly Too Good At Doomben
Third in the Listed Calaway Stakes two starts back, lightly raced two-year-old Zousain filly Sweet Pretender produced the goods at Doomben, charging late to win the Mullins Lawyers QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350m).
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 4
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Second Winner For Ghaiyyath As Observer Scores By Five
Second on debut when just three parts of a length off the winner at Pakenham, the James Cummings’ trained Observer (Ghaiyyath) looked sensational as he made a mess of his rivals to score over 1400m in the Tile Importer Handicap on the Sandown Lakeside course.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 3
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Pride of Jenni to Visit I Am Invincible - Match Made in Heaven
Three-time Champion Sire I Am Invincible has been confirmed as the first mating for reigning Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year Pride Of Jenni, who will head to the breeding barn this season following a phenomenal racing career.