Slick secures sixth Group 1 with Thorndon win
Report: New Zealand, Saturday
Trentham (Wellington): Thorndon Mile (Group 1) 1m turf
SIR SLICK, renowned as New Zealand’s ‘people’s champion’, cast aside the memory of a dismal international campaign last year to record his sixth Group 1 victory at home in the Thorndon Mile.
The hugely popular seven-year-old was having the 88th start of his long career in the NZ$250,000 (£97,000) handicap, which he won for the first time in 2007.
But although he now has 20 victories to his name, Sir Slick does not travel well and he had questions to answer after being unplaced in big races in Hong Kong and Singapore and then enduring a dismal campaign in Australia.
The old warhorse returned to New Zealand earlier this month and had a single prep run a week ago before stepping back into Group 1 company under jockey David Walsh.
Taking the lead about five furlongs out, Sir Slick established a four-length advantage with three to run and held on gamely to score by a half-length over the fast-finishing Striker.
The son of Volksraad is trained in partnership by Graeme Nicholson and Paul Allbon.
“This is very emotional, this is,” said Nicholson, speaking to Thoroughbred news.co.nz.
“To bring him back to New Zealand and to do this second start is unbelievable. He’s marvellous. What can I say? He’s human really, you can do anything with him - I’m just gutted for words.”
>>>Also on Saturday
Trentham: Wellington Cup (Group 2) 1m4f
A rich NZ$350,000 (£136,000) event formerly regarded as New Zealand’s 2m answer to the Melbourne Cup, the Wellington Cup was this year reduced in trip to 1m4f for the first time.
The five-year-old Megapins, trained in partnership by the husband-and-wife team of John and Karen Parsons, was the surprise 27-1 winner under Trudy Thornton
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