Trainer Greg Hickman was an exception as Taxmeifyoucan returned to one of the rowdiest receptions imaginable after winning the $500,000 Inglis 3YO Guineas at Scone on Saturday.
Amid chaotic scenes as Taxmeifyoucan’s large syndicate of owners converged on the mounting yard, Hickman backed away from a television interview because he was just about to cry on camera.
Taxmeifyoucan - Photo by Steve Hart
As his horse received a resounding three cheers before the ownership group burst into song, Hickman tried to compose himself after one of the biggest wins of his career.
“It means as much as any win I’ve had but it’s also great for the owners,” Hickman, a dual Group One winning trainer, said.
“There are new owners and long-time owners in the horse and anything like this means a lot.”
Ridden by Blake Shinn, Taxmeifyoucan ($19) produced a spirited run down the centre of the track to beat Lunar Rise ($18) with Chewychop, backed from $14 to $9, finishing three-quarters of a length away third.
Shinn was riding Taxmeifyoucan, a $16,000 yearling, for the first time after “everyone wanted to jump off”.
“I ended up getting a good run and he was able to put the race beyond doubt pretty quickly,” Shinn said.
The victory meant Shinn was able to muscle in on some Guineas day action alongside his best friend, fellow jockey Peter Robl.
“Pete has won four races so it’s nice to share some of the spoils,” he said.
Robl’s bid for a fifth win ended in disappointment when his mount, the $4.60 second favourite Missy Cummings, was beaten for the first time in her career as she finished last.
Hickman has made an art-form of buying inexpensive yearlings and turning them into consistent winners.
Although he left the sale ring with little fanfare, Taxmeifyoucan arrived at Hickman’s stable with a comparison to one of the horses who helped establish his bona fides as a Sydney trainer.
“When I looked at him he reminded me of Sportsman,” Hickman said in reference to the Group Two winner who cost $8000 and ended up winning almost $800,000.
“He was a nice leggy little black horse, much like Sportsman … I just liked the look of him.”
Hickman will now spell the three-year-old rather than risk the temptation of any further riches in Brisbane.
“He has been up for a long time so he deserves to have a break,” the trainer said.
The well-backed $4.20 favourite Ashokan finished sixth.
