Having ticked one goal off the list, Greg Hickman has set his sights on a fresh target for improving galloper Braces.
The horse will line up in the Hyland Race Colours Hcp(1400m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday after snaring a last-start victory in the Grafton Guineas.
Hickman hatched a plan to win the NSW country feature and Braces was good enough to deliver, prompting the trainer to consider raising the bar again.
“The Grafton Guineas was our goal so it was enormous to pull it off,” Hickman said.
“We got him to a peak for that race and we’ve freshened him up since then.
“Our main aim this time in is to take him to Melbourne for a race over 2000 metres.”
Braces enjoyed a few days in the paddock after his Grafton win last month and Hickman expects him to be competitive on Wednesday, despite a slight distance drop and a hefty weight.
The horse will be one of three runners for the trainer at his home track along with the resuming Citations in the All Too Hard @ Vinery Hcp (1200m) and debutante Phoebe’s Lass in the Pro-Ride Hcp (1100m).
Ex-Godolphin galloper Citations joined Hickman’s team last spring and notched a midweek city win and two placings in similar grade during a six-start summer campaign.
Hickman said the five-year-old had returned to work in good order and could be competitive fresh, although he expected Citations to take benefit from his first-up run.
“My horses tend to do that, they run themselves fit,” Hickman said.
“I bought him from Darley (now Godolphin) and this is my first preparation where I’ve had him from start to finish.
“Hopefully he can measure up to Saturday grade.”
Winona Costin, who finished the 2014/15 season as Sydney’s champion apprentice, will ride Hickman’s trio of runners.
She has also picked up the plumb mount on Godolphin filly Italy in the TAB.com.au Handicap.
Italy was black-type placed in the Magic Night Stakes as a two-year-old and will be having her first start since she was unplaced in a Group Two race at Rosehill in March.
