Hickman Racing

Magic Millions Sales

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST

At the recent Magic Millions Sale 2010, the following purchases were may and are presently being broken in in Queensland.

Lot 1718 Danzero x Kapalua Beach, B filly DOB 5th November 2008

Sire a Goup 1 Winner and a producer of Multiple Group Winners.

First three dams all city winners - producers of Group winners

A lovely Filly, who is a half sister to 3 winners

Full breeding available on page "horses available" Danzero Filly

Lot 1841 Mossman x Raise the Crown, B Colt DOB 29th November 2008

Sire a Group 1 winner producer of multiple stakes winners.

He is a very striking type and a half brother to 2 winners.

All Yearlings are BOBS eligible.

Further details on "Horses Available" Tab

May Wrap

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST

The Brisbane winter has been a mixed bag for our trainer Greg Hickman.¶
   Greg got his carnival off to a great start when three-year-old filly Shabana defeated the older horses at Eagle Farm on May 1, her second consecutive win following a first-up success at Canterbury in April.¶
   While Greg had tasted big race success in Queensland snaring the 2005 Prime Minister's Cup at the Gold Coast with Sir Dex, Shabana brought up a career milestone as she was his first winner in the Brisbane metropolitan area from just a handful of runners.¶
      Unfortunately, Shabana's Queensland Oaks campaign was cut short when she was found to have bled during The Roses at Doomben.¶
   She will be given a good break in the spelling paddock and Greg is confident she can realise her potential next campaign.¶
   "A bit of time out will only strengthen her up and she'll come back bigger and better," he said.¶
   "It was a very, very good effort to be able to go to Brisbane and win over a mile after winning first-up just 10 days earlier and then having the trip up there."¶
   Two-year-old Mirjulisa Lass has also been a revelation, delivering her owners a huge thrill when she trounced her rivals at the Sunshine Coast on May 23 to post her first win at just her third start.¶
   She was then stepped up to stakes company and was far from disgraced finishing 2-1/4 lengths from the winner Run For Levi in the Doomben Slipper.¶
   "She's been a bit of a surprise packet," Greg said.¶
   "She's come from being beaten in a maiden at Nowra to winning at the Sunshine Coast and backing-up a week later in a Listed race. She's done a great job."¶
   Mirjulisa Lass has also been spelled but Greg is hoping she can continue to develop in the spring and perhaps even stake a claim for the VRC Oaks.

Shabana arrives in Time at Eagle Farm

Fri, 07 May 2010 00:00:00 EST

Shabana (3y b f Quest for Fame x Chapatti) was successful in the first race at Eagle Farm on Saturday 1st May 2010 recording her second consecutive win within ten days.

Shabana and stable mate Definite Choice have been taken to Queensland by Greg Hickman with the main mission of the Queensland Oaks and Queensland Derby respectfully.

On Saturday, Shabana after only being in Queensland four days, jumped out slowly and was travelling just worst than midfield for most of the race. Approaching the 600 metres Larry Cassidy improved her position and entering the straight elected to stay on the rail. Shabana under hands and heels riding over the last 150 metres showed a great will to win and grab the lead in the shadows of the post to win by a half neck. The performance outlined to Greg the great determination that the filly has and he was extremely excited by her outstanding effort in her second run from a spell.

The breeder and owner of Shabana, Greg Ingham, was very happy with the result (He had her mother and sister in the Easter Broodmare sale and due to the poor market is pleased now to have retained the family)

Greg has yet to finalise the fillies program but the Doomben Roses is on the agenda for her next run on the 22nd May 2010.

Stablemate Definite Choice who also competed on the day ran 6th in the 1600m Group 3 Gunsynd Classic. It was a good effort all things considered and he will now progress to the 2020m Group 3 Rough Habit Plate on the 15th May.

Easter Sales

Sun, 02 May 2010 00:00:00 EST

At the recent Inglis Easter Sale 2010, the following purchase was made. He is currently spelling at Fairview Park.:

Lot 154 Snitzel x Shalimar Sky, B colt DOB 14th October 2008

Sire is a Group 1 Winner and the producer of winners in his first season at Stud

Dam a Listed winner and Group placegetter.

A racy colt.

Video of colt for viewing on this website under heading "Horses Available" or from Sire Cam. Breeding details are also under 'Horses Available".

Monthly update

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EST

The Sydney Autumn Carnival has wound up but the stable has plenty to look forward to with two of our most promising three-year-olds heading to Brisbane for the major winter races.
Definite Choice stamped himself a smart stayer in the making with a resolute fourth to Monaco Consul in the Group One Spring Stakes over 2000m at Randwick last October.
He has had two runs back this preparation and put the writing on the wall with his last start fifth to Star Of Octagonal in the South Pacific Classic on Doncaster day.
"His final 800m and 1000m sectionals were the fastest of the race that day and he has done super since then," Greg said.
"Larry Cassidy will ride him on Saturday, he rode Allaboutus up there for us last year and did a good job."
Definite Choice will be aimed at the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm in June and will travel up to Queensland this week along with Shabana who will be targeting the Group One Queensland Oaks (2400m).
Definite Choice will run in the Gunsynd Classic (1600m) on Saturday while Shabana will also be in action at Eagle Farm in the Class Six Plate (1600m).
The filly, who is a daughter of proven stallion Quest For Fame, resumed with a terrific first-up victory over 1200m at Canterbury last week at what was just her fifth start.
"We ran her in that race first-up so she had no weight to carry and got a small field," Greg said.
"It was a very impressive win and she beat a horse (Red Letter Daze) who has won $130,000 in prizemoney.
"If you go back through her form she did finish second to Faint Perfume as a two-year-old so the form around her is good."
Greg has enjoyed good success when he has ventured to Queensland in the past winning the 2005 Prime Minister's Cup at the Gold Coast with Sir Dex who was also an unlucky second in the Group One Sires' Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm during his two-year-old season.
Lightly-raced filly Rosie's Cause also kept the winners ticking over for the stable during April when she scored over 1200m at Nowra.
Ilringya will be the only starter in New South Wales this week at Goulburn. City winner Ilringya who was second at Nowra when she resumed earlier in the month, has worked well all week and should be competative at Goulburn on Friday. Shishaku is resuming and he will trial at Warwick Farm on Friday

February Wrap

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

Four-year-old mare Talapega capped a great month for the stable with her all-the-way win at Warwick Farm this week.
Her success gave Greg his third winner in the space of 12 days following victories by Nothin' Leica King at Canterbury earlier this month and two-year-old Wishwyn at Wyong on Sunday.
Talapega's debut triumph was particularly special as she is from the same family as Royal Purler who gave Greg his first Group One win when she defeated Victory Vein to win the Group One Flight Stakes at Randwick in 2002.
It was also just reward for her owner John Starr who has never lost faith in the daughter of Fusaichi Pegasus despite her early career setbacks.
"John has been very patient. She had bad knees and kept going shin sore but he was happy to give her the time she needed," Greg said.
"She's from the Royal Purler family so that made her win extra special."
Greg will look for another midweek city race for Talapega.

Wishwyn, the two-year-old had shown ability in his trial and took that to the track when he raced on the speed at Wyong and kicked clear in the straight to post a solid win.
"He's pulled up well at this stage, but I feel he needs to mature and may now go for a spell.," Greg said.
The stable has now had six metropolitan winners this season, ranking Greg among the top 20 trainers in the state and the top ten based on strike rate.
He will have a rare quiet day on Saturday with no runners at Rosehill or Kembla Grange but with plenty of meetings scheduled in the coming weeks the stable is looking forward to keeping their winning momentum rolling into March.

Wish for a Win

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

Wishwyn (2y ch g Beautiful Crown x Sunny Jan) was able to post his first race start and win at Wyong on the 21st February 2010.

Wishwyn though still maturing has shown he is keen to race - evident by a good trial at Rosehill on the 2nd February. He was posted 3 wide for most of the trip and then finished the trial off well running second.

Today he was able to jump well from barrier 5, always be in a comfortable position, running second until the turn. He then able to work strongly to the line and was never threatened.

He defeated the favourite Howdiddydoit.

The Cohen family are the major share holders in the young galloper and thoroughly enjoyed their day at Wyong and appreciated the healthy odds offered of $4.20

Nothin Leica Win

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

Nothin' Leica King ( 7y b g Nothin Leica Dane x Innocent Gypsy) won at Canterbury on the 12th February 2010. He won the International Lounge Handicap over 1580m.

He won convincingly by 1.8 lengths, defeating the heavily backed favourite Akmal and paying the healthy divident of $14.00.

Nothin' Leica King posted his fourth career win when he came from last to score a resounding victory. He was abley ridden by Grant Buckley. He has now won from 1580m to 2200m.

Greg has reported the gelding had come through the race well and he would then weigh up a start over a mile at Warwick Farm.

This was a great day for trainer and owner, as King has only just recommenced racing again after a 2 year break. This was his first city win.

Definite Choice 4th in Group 1

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

DEFINITE CHOICE RUNS IN GROUP 1 SPRING CHAMPION STAKES
Bargain buy Definite Choice proved his mettle in Group One company with a gallant fourth in the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick last Saturday.
The three-year-old trailed the speed before mounting a challenge at the top of the rise and he battled on doggedly to finish on the heels of the placegetters. The first three horses across the line - Monaco Consul, Gathering and Viking Ruler - are heading to Melbourne for Victoria Derby campaigns but Greg Hickman is looking to the future with Definite Choice, who he believes will return a better horse in the autumn.
Champion jockey Darren Beadman, who rode Definite Choice in the Spring Champion Stakes, agreed. "Darren thinks he could be a nice horse for Easter, or even a Grand Prix Stakes horse in Brisbane because that would give him that bit more time to mature," Hickman said. "Darren rode him exactly how we wanted him ridden on Saturday, He had him one out, one back and the horse relaxed. "He looked like being right in the finish but he didn't quite let down on the heavy track."
Greg and Darren have enjoyed a successful association over many years and combined to win a Prime Minister's Cup with Sir Dex. Like Sir Dex, Definite Choice was not an expensive buy as a yearling and Greg purchsed the son of former smart two-year-old Not A Single Doubt for just $45,000 at the 2008 Inglis Classic sale. "He was one of those horses a bit like Sir Dex who was a leggy and immature type but he just took my eye," Hickman said.
Greg paraded Definite Choice at his Warwick Farm stable during an open day last year when several lucky owners bought into the gelding. He plans to hold more open days at his stable in the future with dates to be posted on his website.

Inglis Classic Purchases

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

At the recent Inglis Classic Sale 2010, the following purchases are at the stables:

Lot 128 Johannesburg x La Mambo, B colt DOB 24th August 2008

Sire a producer of Multiple Stakes Winners.

A racy colt, who is a half brother to 2 winners Video on inglis website

Lot 307 California Dane x Spicy Chic, Br Colt DOB 2nd October 2008

A very striking type.

All Yearlings are BOBS eligible.

Further details on "Horses Available" Tab