Gregory Hickman lands top rider for Fancied Pair
Warwick Farm horseman Gregory Hickman is confident he has all the boxes ticked as he heads to Taree on Tuesday with two leading chances set to go around.
he trainer has booked Aaron Bullock to ride both horses he has going around at Taree, with Snitzaroo ($4.40 on TAB) down to run in the Sky International Benchmark 58 Handicap (1262m), and Packer ($5 favourite) set to contest the Stacks Law Firm Benchmark 58 Handicap (1412m).
“Snitzaroo is a handy enough horse that looks well suited,” said Gregory Hickman.
“He’s drawn well, is down in class, and has the number one jockey on him.”
Snitzaroo won his maiden at Gosford in December last year, and also managed to score a win in Class 1 grade at Muswellbrook in January.
“He’s a son of Snitzel that has shown his share of ability,” Hickman said.
“He’s had two runs since resuming from a spell this campaign. He ran second at Nowra when first-up and then was midfield at Hawkesbury in tougher company at his latest start. That looks good form for this.”
Hickman and Bullock have combined with Packer before with the pair having a number off placings together.
The six-year-od has three wins and 11 placings to his name from 37 starts and comes into the Taree event having finished seventh at Hawkesbury against handy company when last produced.
“He’s an honest enough sort of horse that can bob up in the right race,” said Hickman. “His latest run at Hawkesbury was good. If he can run up to that he’d be hard to beat.”
While Hickman has a couple of good chances at Taree, Newcastle’s leading trainer Kris Lees will also send a strong team to the track.
Incastress ($6.50) will represent the stable in the Taree Gold Cup Day Friday 18 Oct Maiden Plate (1007m) with Andrew Gibbons to ride.
Oakfield Mamselle ($6) will be the Lees runner in the Bakewall Haulage Benchmark 66 Handicap (1614m) with Lee Magorrian in the saddle.
While Benjamin Osmond will ride the Lees pair of Sethfire ($8) in the Club Taree Melbourne Cup Luncheon Maiden Handicap (1312m), and Divine Note ($12) which lines up against Packer.
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Weather prompts Rosehill races transfer
Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting will now be held on Sunday after Racing NSW moved to avoid anticipated extreme heat across Sydney, with temperatures set to surge past 40 degrees. Racing NSW stewards had tracked forecasts closely all week and, with no relief in sight, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the rescheduling...
Air has second Assault on the 2025 Ballarat Cup
A mature and more composed Air Assault will attempt to push his prizemoney beyond $1 million when he lines up in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. Trainer Andrew Gluyas says the gelding has finally pieced it all together after years of racing keenly, noting the now nine-time winner has developed into a tractable,...