Trainer Gary Nickson will try and win a couple of races for an old client of his at Wyong on Thursday with two three-year-old fillies by the same father.
Phillip Katos, who makes his living in the squid industry, was an owner for Nickson more than two decades ago and when he decided he wanted to race horses again he looked up the Warwick Farm trainer and asked him if he’d take on a handful of runners.
Nickson was only too happy to and on Thursday he’s got Evonne’s Magic and Lauren’s Magic entered in 1000-metre and 2100-metre events respectively. Both are searching for their first career wins but that’s where the similarities end.
“They both by Beneteau, but are very different horses,” Nickson said. “One’s very small and we’ve given her some time and the other filly is big at more than 17 hands.”
Pint-sized Evonne’s Magic has only had one barrier trial and debuts with Andrew Banks on board from barrier four in an eight-horse field. Despite winning the trial, Nickson wasn’t expecting big things from her just yet.
“The little filly trialled pretty well and even though there’s not a lot of her I think she’s an each-way chance and will only improve off this run,” he said.
Just 35 minutes later Lauren’s Magic has her first try at 2100m after being restricted to mile races and sprints in her 11-start career.
Despite only being placed twice she has run against strong opposition including a ninth placing to Speak Fondly in the Group 1 Flight Stakes at Royal Randwick last spring.
“She should stay all day if you look at her pedigree (by Beneteau out of Leander) and Jeff Penza says she’s looking for more ground,” Nickson said.
“If she runs the journey like everyone tells me she will, then I think she’ll be hard to beat. These Beneteau’s are better as four-year-olds so I’m looking forward to racing them.”
The first of seven races at Wyong jumps at 12.05pm.
– Racing NSW
