So Slick (again!)
January 25th 2009 07:30
Home is where the heart is.
After a horrid six months campaign in Australia, Sir Slick returned to New Zealand and miraculously recaptured the winning form that appeared gone forever on his Melbourne efforts.
Beginning his campaign in August 2008 in the Group Two JJ Liston Stakes, Sir Slick would fail in this - then progressively fail with greater magnitude in each Group race and either finish last, or near the tail of the field, while often going around at odds of 150/1.
It became so disheartening that this multiple Group One winning son of Volksraad would lose races in a descending scale that culminated in his only placing of his Australian sojourn at his last start in a provincial (Bairnsdale Cup) race where he would finish 3rd.
Career in tatters it seemed. He was allocated too much weight as a Group One winner to forge a lesser career in minor handicaps. And as a rising 8 year old all seemed lost.
But then home again.
New Zealand.
Land of the long white cloud.
A third in a Listed Race a surprise to anyone who had watched him in Australia.
But the transformation was not complete with this. On Saturday Sir Slick won the Group One Thorndon Mile 1600m at Wellington to shock all, apart from his faithful trainer, Graeme Nicholson.
"Amazing racehorse", - cried race caller Tony Lee as Sir Slick returned to winning form at Wellington.
"There was one hell of a lot of knockers out there – all I can say to them is whoop de do. To do this at his second start is unbelievable. He's marvellous. What can I say?"
"He had a hiccup with a back leg half-way through his programme. That knocked him back."
"He just about ran up on to the truck when I went to the airport. He was happy to be home." - Graeme Nicholson, trainer.
Part of the explanation for his Australian failures Nicholson placed on the sandy condition of Australian racetracks - this coupled with a minor injury. But it was also noted that Sir Slick was back to his old self as soon as he arrived back home in New Zealand.
Sir Slick now has stake earnings of $NZ1.7 million with a record of 88 starts for 20 wins, 14 seconds and 11 thirds. Five of the wins have been Group Ones. He was voted the “People’s Champion” for season 2006-2007.
Nicholson has no intention on easing up on Sir Slick. His next two starts will be the $NZ200,000 group one events – the International Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on February 7, and the Otaki Weight-For-Age on February 20. He won both races in 2007.
Sir Slick was ridden yesterday for the first time by David Walsh, who was happy to let the horse stride along at his own pace after going to the lead at the 800m.
"I rode him how he was happy. I didn't worry about the others. I didn't know if he was two lengths or 10 lengths in front. I didn't even look. He's just so tough. He one of those horse's that every time people say he's had it, he keeps coming back like he's trying to prove them wrong." - David Walsh.
Sir Slick winning the Group One 2007 Zabeel Classic
Sir Slick back in winning form
After a horrid six months campaign in Australia, Sir Slick returned to New Zealand and miraculously recaptured the winning form that appeared gone forever on his Melbourne efforts.
Beginning his campaign in August 2008 in the Group Two JJ Liston Stakes, Sir Slick would fail in this - then progressively fail with greater magnitude in each Group race and either finish last, or near the tail of the field, while often going around at odds of 150/1.
It became so disheartening that this multiple Group One winning son of Volksraad would lose races in a descending scale that culminated in his only placing of his Australian sojourn at his last start in a provincial (Bairnsdale Cup) race where he would finish 3rd.
Career in tatters it seemed. He was allocated too much weight as a Group One winner to forge a lesser career in minor handicaps. And as a rising 8 year old all seemed lost.
But then home again.
New Zealand.
Land of the long white cloud.
A third in a Listed Race a surprise to anyone who had watched him in Australia.
But the transformation was not complete with this. On Saturday Sir Slick won the Group One Thorndon Mile 1600m at Wellington to shock all, apart from his faithful trainer, Graeme Nicholson.
"Amazing racehorse", - cried race caller Tony Lee as Sir Slick returned to winning form at Wellington.
"There was one hell of a lot of knockers out there – all I can say to them is whoop de do. To do this at his second start is unbelievable. He's marvellous. What can I say?"
"He had a hiccup with a back leg half-way through his programme. That knocked him back."
"He just about ran up on to the truck when I went to the airport. He was happy to be home." - Graeme Nicholson, trainer.
Part of the explanation for his Australian failures Nicholson placed on the sandy condition of Australian racetracks - this coupled with a minor injury. But it was also noted that Sir Slick was back to his old self as soon as he arrived back home in New Zealand.
Sir Slick now has stake earnings of $NZ1.7 million with a record of 88 starts for 20 wins, 14 seconds and 11 thirds. Five of the wins have been Group Ones. He was voted the “People’s Champion” for season 2006-2007.
Nicholson has no intention on easing up on Sir Slick. His next two starts will be the $NZ200,000 group one events – the International Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on February 7, and the Otaki Weight-For-Age on February 20. He won both races in 2007.
Sir Slick was ridden yesterday for the first time by David Walsh, who was happy to let the horse stride along at his own pace after going to the lead at the 800m.
"I rode him how he was happy. I didn't worry about the others. I didn't know if he was two lengths or 10 lengths in front. I didn't even look. He's just so tough. He one of those horse's that every time people say he's had it, he keeps coming back like he's trying to prove them wrong." - David Walsh.
Sir Slick winning the Group One 2007 Zabeel Classic
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