Nikolic Back With A Bang On Sonic Quest

Sun Herald

Sunday September 23, 2007

By Craig Brennan Caulfield

JOCKEY Danny Nikolic yesterday celebrated his decision to cut short a riding stint in Hong Kong with a winning double, highlighted by Rubiscent's upset win in the group 1 Underwood Stakes.

Nikolic cancelled his Asian contract after just one meeting of the Hong Kong Jockey Club's new racing season.

He cited a potential lack of support from local trainers as the main reason for returning. His wife Victoria is expecting their first child next month.

Earlier yesterday, he teamed with Lee Freedman to win the Jayco Handicap (1200metres) with Sonic Quest.

"In Hong Kong things were going OK, but I just wasn't happy there, so I did something about it and came home," he said.

Nikolic took a while to find his feet in Hong Kong but finished last season in 11th place on the jockeys' premiership with 29 winners.

It was hard work for him to win the support of owners and trainers among strong competition in Hong Kong and, in the end, the rewards didn't warrant the effort.

"I'm a lot happier here," he said.

Sonic Quest's win brought up an early double for Freedman, who won the opening race with Gamble Me.

Nikolic and Freedman have been a formidable team over the years, most notably combining to win the 2003 Caulfield Cup with Mummify.

Sent out a $6.50 chance, Sonic Quest scored by a long neck over the heavily-backed favourite Stanzout ($2.50 to $2.20), with Amyjaye Power ($19) running on strongly to finish 13/4 lengths away in third place.

Nikolic said there was a lot to like about the win of Sonic Quest, which was having his first run since January.

"He's a nice horse but he's a bit of a barrier rogue," he said.

"Lee said before the race that he's more of a 1400-1600m horse, but he was quick out and settled a bit closer than I expected.

"He was always travelling well."

Nikolic said it was good to land a winner for one of the leading stables early in the spring.

Freedman had always had a big opinion of Sonic Quest and believed he was capable of winning a good class race during the spring.

"He's got his issues with the barriers . . . but it's great to get him back and hopefully he can go on with it," the Hall of Fame trainer said.

"It's tough to get a measure on him having raced so little, but we'll probably head towards the Toorak Handicap [Caulfield] with him."

Darren Beadman, who is off to Hong Kong tomorrow to take up a riding contract, gave Stanzout every chance but the honest grey is now probably looking for a touch more ground.

© 2007 Sun Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home