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Nicholson seeks happiness in Doomben Cup

Sunday 16 May 2010
By Glenn Davis

New Zealand trainer Graeme Nicholson has put a week of misery behind him and is hoping his gun three-year-old Timekeeper and old warhorse Sir Slick can fight out the finish in Saturday's Group One Doomben Cup.

"After the week I've just had I'd love nothing better than to see them fight out the finish in the Doomben Cup," Nicholson said.

Nicholson wanted to run both stayers at Doomben on Saturday but overlooked the nominations with Timekeeper for the Group Three Rough Habit Plate (2020m) and the Group Three Chairman's Handicap (2020m) with Sir Slick.

"I'm still cursing myself. It was my mistake because I forgot when the nominations closed last week and it was a big boo-boo," he said.

Nicholson wanted to give both his stable stars solid hit-outs ahead of the Doomben Cup but instead will give the pair a strong sounding out in trackwork at the Gold Coast on Tuesday.

Time Keeper has won his past three starts in New Zealand and is one of the major fancies for the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 12.

"Hopefully, it won't be much of a setback and I think both will run well in the Doomben Cup," he said.

Originally, Nicholson had doubts whether Timekeeper would get a start in the Doomben Cup but with only 16 first acceptors the son of Stravinsky is assured of a start.

Timekeeper will be ridden by Chris Munce who is looking for his first Doomben Cup victory.

Timekeeper won against his own age over 2000 metres at his last start at Te Rapa on May 1 which followed his commanding victory in the Group One Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie a fortnight earlier.

Sir Slick, who cheated death after being poisoned last Christmas, is coming off a last start fifth to Metal Bender in the Group Two Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 8.

The eight-year-old, who also finished third to his stablemate in the Easter Handicap, pleased Nicholson with his Hollindale Stakes performance on a rain-affected track.

"This horse knows when not to hurt himself. He's been around long enough and he just doesn't put in on tracks he doesn't like," he said.

"Under the circumstances I thought he ran a hell of a race in the Hollindale to finish fifth and as close as he did."

Nicholson has tipped his hand by declaring Timekeeper as his preference in the Doomben Cup.

"He hasn't won at weight-for-age yet but that doesn't worry me," he said.

"The Easter Handicap has been his best win as it was against older horses and they were the best New Zealand had to offer, including Sir Slick.

"He'll have one more run after the Doomben Cup which should top him off for the (Queensland) Derby."