Promising Mudgee three-year-old Nictock is living proof that first impressions are often not the best guide in racing.
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The Cameron Crockett-trained gelding has compiled a handy record so far in his career and chases his fourth win from just five starts when he steps out in the Class 3 Handicap (900m) at Wellington on Tuesday.
His one defeat came first-up at Royal Randwick on June 10 when he encountered a heavy 10 track but ran a game third to Clipper and Conniving in a Class 3 Highway (1000m). Nictock has come a long way since he first arrived at Crockett's stable last year.
Bred by his owners, Ken and Ian Brady, the son of Nicconi initially went into work with Port Macquarie trainer Neil Godbolt but was transferred to Crockett before he had raced.
"I didn't think too much of him at all at first," said Crockett. "I think he'd had problems with shin soreness and he was just a real 'narky' horse who was dirty on the world when he first arrived here. But once we started to gallop him on the track he just completely changed and immediately became a real racehorse."
Nictock made his debut at Gilgandra on January 1, romping home in a 1100m Maiden Plate by three lengths. He then won a Class 1 over 1100m at Wellington on January 15 and a Class 2 over 1200m at Bathurst on January 27 before Crockett sent him for a spell.
Crockett headed to Sydney when Nictock returned to racing, resuming in a Class 3 Highway over 1000m at Randwick on June 10 even though he encountered a track rated a heavy 10.
Ridden by Greg Ryan, Nictock battled on well to finish third to Clipper and Conniving. That form has stood up extremely well with the Matt Dale-trained Clipper running third to Unique Lovely and Princess Of Queens at Caulfield at her next start and Conniving subsequently winning at Randwick.
"I was in two minds about running him first-up in that heavy 10 and, in hindsight, I wished I'd waited for another Highway," said Crockett.
"It was the heaviest track I've ever seen. I was staying at Randwick and was amazed the meeting actually went ahead.”