Hickman works Magic on Coast
GREG Hickman has personally cast his eye over his Gold Coast satellite stable as he prepares Eleven Eleven for a crack at the talent-laden Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.
The Group 1-winning Sydney trainer flew to the Gold Coast on Monday to watch the trials at Aquis Park where he had five runners.
Hickman has Zamosa engaged in today’s Maiden Plate (1650m) at Beaudesert, where the temperature is set to be 37C.
It will be the four-year-old mare’s second run for his stable after a second over 1400m at Gatton on November 21.
Eleven Eleven struggled after shifting to Queensland at the end of last year but found form again in NSW, winning three straight races at provincial level at Kembla Grange before being sent to the Gold Coast again where he placed third at Doomben over 1200m on November 30.
“He was up here and didn’t handle life early as a horse,” Hickman said. “He was doing
a lot of things wrong and we took him home back to Sydney and he won three in the provincials.
“It gives us a bit of confidence and he is heading in the right direction.”
Hickman said the horse was being aimed at the $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas on January 11 where a class field is likely to include Group 3 winner Alligator Blood and 2019 2YO Classic winner Exhilarates.
“You always have hope but it will be a pretty hot Guineas this year,” he said.
Hickman opened his Gold
Coast stable in March this year and has been patiently building it, something he believes will still take some time.
“It’s slowly building,” Hickman said. “You just have to tinker a few things, organise staff and the owners.
“For me to get up here a bit more and to be able to is important too
“(Foreman) Tenille Ranger has done a super job up here looking after the horses.
“Chris Waller’s Gold Coast stable has taken a while to get up and rolling so it’s about getting the right horses … and the right clients behind you.”