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.