Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 
Image: Bruno Cannatelli
Robert Hickmott is relishing the return to Lloyd Williams' Mount Macedon property

Robert Hickmott is relishing the return to Lloyd Williams’ Mount Macedon property but more importantly, so are the two gallopers he is aiming at the spring features, Schabau and Django Freeman.

Schabau takes an important step on the road to the 2020 Melbourne Cup when he starts at Moonee Valley in a 2040m handicap on Saturday.

Hickmott received an offer from Williams six weeks ago to prepare his duo from the property and jumped at it.

Hickmott trained from there for nine years for Williams and prepared two Melbourne Cup winners, Green Moon and Almandin, before he left the fold at the end of 2017.

Late last year, Williams put the property on the market and sent his horses to Danny O’Brien and Anthony Freedman to be trained while he fielded offers.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic made the sale difficult as prospective international buyers weren’t able to get to the property to inspect it.

“It’s been very generous of Lloyd to let us use the property and it’s made a big difference to those two horses as they have settled in so well there,” Hickmott said.

Hickmott attends his Caulfield stables in the morning and then returns to Mount Macedon.

He said his wife Michelle, who has been all over the world as a track rider, had come out of retirement to partner the pair in their work.

Hickmott wouldn’t be surprised if Schabau won on Saturday but pointed out that he still had improvement to come.

He was also uncertain how Schabau would handle the track if it got too wet.

Schabau resumed at Flemington in May after being sidelined with a tendon injury for over a year, finishing seventh to Super Titus over 2000m when Hickmott said he needed the hitout.

The former German galloper had been undefeated in three prior Australian starts.

“He’s going into this in good condition. He’s much fitter than last start but he’s got improvement to come,” Hickmott said.

“He’ll be 90 to 95 per cent at Flemington on September 12 and then he’ll go into The Bart Cummings fully fit on October 12 and hopefully get into the Melbourne Cup field.”

Schabau will be ridden by champion Perth jockey Willie Pike, who has been booked to partner him throughout the spring.

“He’s a stallion but his whole demeanour has changed out here. The only time you worry about him now is when someone gets on his back,” Hickmott said.

Hickmott added Django Freeman had developed physically while at Mount Macedon, likening the transformation to a boy growing into a man.

He will run over 1700m at Flemington on September 12 before returning to the track to contest the Turnbull Stakes on October 3.

“After that I’ll decide whether to aim him at the Cox Plate or the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup,” Hickmott said.

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au