Gary Nickson had many excuses ready if Voilier did not win his debut but in the end he needed none.
The Warwick Farm trainer admitted he had concerns about Saturday’s rain-affected track and the 1100m which was 100m further than originally scheduled.
Voilier
The distance change came about when the meeting was transferred from Randwick’s Kensington track to Rosehill.
“I was worried about the 1100 metres and the soft track,” Nickson said.
“I kept finding excuses but he did the job.”
The track was upgraded one point from its soft 7 after the two-year-old Plate in which Voilier ($3.90) ran 1:05min.28secs to beat favourite Zoutenant ($2.60) by 3-1/2 lengths with Skyclad ($12) another 1-3/4 lengths third.
Voilier’s jockey Tye Angland said he had no concerns during the race.
“He did everything perfectly,” he said.
“He is just a little professional. He was a bit green when I went for him in the straight but it was a top effort.”
Voilier, a $32,500 Magic Millions yearling and the winner of his only barrier trial, is by Beneteau who died from a neurological condition in January last year, leaving just two crops.
“I’ve got five by Beneteau and they are all big strong types,” Nickson said.
“I’ve got a filly called Lauren’s Magic who is bigger than him. She has had one trial and has gone for a spell.”
The spelling paddock is also the plan for Voilier with the autumn in mind.
“He isn’t nominated for the Golden Slipper but if he can earn his way in, then we will run,” Nickson said.
Fellow Warwick Farm trainer Jason Coyle is also likely to send Berry Delicious to the paddock a winner after the filly took out the 1400-metre race for three-year-olds and snap a 62-race losing streak in town for jockey Jason Collett.
“There are not a lot of races for her at this time of year so the plan is to put her out now and come back in the autumn,” Coyle said.
