Sir Slick Set To Back Up At Doomben

Sunday, 09 May 2010 08:15

Kiwi warhorse Sir Slick could back up at Doomben on Saturday after failing to handle a wet Gold Coast track when fifth in the Group Two Hollindale Stakes.

Trainer Graeme Nicholson said the eight-year-old veteran of 120 starts was not suited by the slow conditions on Saturday.

"It was too testing for him," Nicholson said.

"(Jockey) Sam (Collett) said he just pinned his ears out and didn't want to do it. That's Slick for you."

The first three placegetters in the Hollindale - Metal Bender, Road To Rock and Gold Water - were well clear of the remainder of the field with Sir Slick finishing almost five lengths from the winner.

Nicholson said Sir Slick would probably run in the Group Three Chairman's Handicap (2020m) at Doomben this Saturday provided he did not get too much weight.

"If he got 60kg I wouldn't start him," Nicholson said.

Nicholson said Chris Munce would probably ride Sir Slick in the Chairman's, with Collett to be reunited with him in the Group One Doomben Cup (2020m) on May 22.

Munce has also been engaged to ride stablemate Time Keeper in the Group Three Rough Habit Plate (2020m) on Saturday, replacing regular rider Mark Sweeney who injured a vertebrae last week.

"I am absolutely gutted for Mark," Nicholson said.

Time Keeper, who finished fifth in the New Zealand Derby in March, will be making his Australian debut and has won four of his past five starts.

He has been nominated for the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm next month.

Picture: Ross Stevenson