Jockey Danny Nikolic’s knack for winning from wide gates at Flemington was again on show when Chosen to Fly landed his second heat of the Winter Championship series.
Nikolic scored a memorable Australian Guineas victory on Mosheen from the outside barrier in March and while he didn’t set out to ride as “pretty” on Chosen To Fly he got the same result in Saturday’s 1400m event.
Trained by Colin and Cindy Alderson, Chosen To Fly ($5.50 fav) drew the second outside barrier in the 16 horse-field and held off a wall of horses to score by a neck from Stoneblack ($26), with a head to third-placed Future Solution ($21).
“I didn’t try to do anything pretty and gradually let him creep up to them,” Nikolic said.
“He travelled like the winner coming to the top of the straight but he had no favours in the run.
“He was tough all the way up the straight.”
Chosen To Fly has now won two heats of the Winter Championship and emerged as a stand-out contender for the $150,000 Final (1600m) at Flemington on July 7.
He won the second heat of the series over 1400 metres at Flemington on May 19.
Cindy Alderson said Chosen To Fly was a determined horse whose courage had to be admired.
“I think he likes to race off a wide gate because he can come across at his leisure and he is a big strong galloper who likes galloping room.”
“We’ve got to go to the final now.”
