NewsBite

Armidale tips: Trainer Nikki Pollock has Hit Song in fine tune to keep on a winning roll

Following a career best season, Nikki Pollock can keep her winning momentum going with three good chances at Armidale.

Adam Sherry
6 min read
September 21, 2024 - 5:00PM
Last start winner Hit Song is a good chance again at Armidale. Picture: Bradley Photos
Last start winner Hit Song is a good chance again at Armidale. Picture: Bradley Photos

Scone trainer Nikki Pollock has followed her most successful season with a flying start to the current racing year and can build on it with three good chances to end the weekend.

Pollock prepared 20 winners and 39 placings from 132 runners in 2023/24 and has had three winners and 10 placings from just 25 starters to far this term.

One of her early season winners was Hit Song who won at the Bingara non-TAB meeting on August 24 and is looking to go back-to-back when he steps out in the ETB Industries Benchmark 58 Handicap (1300m).

“He is racing very well and I think he’s in there with a good chance again,” said Arthur Pollock, Nikki’s son and stable foreman.

“This is his first preparation for us and he is doing a really good job.

“He’s no star but he a very honest horse.

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

While it is s step up from that Benchmark 50, the four-year-old, who was purchased by the Pollock family of Inglis Digital last December for just $6,000, won his maiden at Tamworth just three starts earlier.

“I don’t think it will a problem for him. He’s a tough little thing,” Pollock said.

“There might be a couple in there a bit sharper than him but he has drawn well so he should put himself up near the speed somewhere which certainly helps around Armidale.

“A bit of juice in the ground will also help him and might just take the edge off some others.

“He has drawn nicely which is a big help, especially around Armidale.

“From the good gate, hopefully he can be on the leaders back and from there, give a good kick.”

Quiet Approach has been a source of frustration for the Pollocks.

The gelding has shown plenty of ability at home but isn’t quite delivering on the racetrack with eight placings from 17 starts, six of them seconds.

He was runner-up at Tamworth in July and again at Bingara two starts back before a fourth at Gulargambone after racing wide.

“It’s lucky the family doesn’t bet because they would have backed him his last five or six runs,” Pollock said.

“He has been absolutely flying at home but just seems to get beat on race day.

“He gallops with Fill A Promise and works as well as her. She won five races in a row last preparation and ran third at Wyong two weeks ago while he still hasn’t managed to win one yet.”

Pollock feels barrier 6 in the Country Boosted Maiden Handicap (1100m) brings him into contention.

“He always puts himself up there on the speed and gives himself the chance,” he said.

“He’s definitely got a couple of wins in him, hopefully he can break through soon.”

The stable’s other runner for the meeting is One Command in the Super Maiden Plate (1300m).

The gelding has his first run for the Pollocks when seventh over 1000m at Muswellbrook on September 10.

“We knew the 1000m was going to be too sharp for him but he had to have the run,” said Pollock.

“He hit the line well which was encouraging.

“Stepping up to 1300m this weekend, hopefully he can race a bit closer.

“Physically, I think he can win this race. He is more than good enough. Mentally, he is still very green and very new.

“I think he will have some head gear on him somewhere down the line, but if he puts in, I feel he can definitely win this race.”

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 6 No. 4: Sacred Delago

Has been caught wide without cover in his three runs this campaign. Drawn to lead and will be hard to run down.

NEXT BEST

Race 7 No. 4: Magic Flyer

Raced keenly just behind the speed when runner-up to a barnstorming favourite last start. Can go one better.

VALUE BET

Race 2 No. 4: One Command

Wasn’t disgraced when seventh over 1000m first-up. Much better suited stepping up to 1300m.

BEST EXOTIC

Quinella Race 5: 1, 3

QUADDIE

Race 4: 1, 2, 8

Race 5: 1, 3

Race 6: 3, 4

Race 7: 2, 4, 7

Talented apprentice Shae Wilkes can continue her good form at Armidale. Picture: Bradley Photos
Talented apprentice Shae Wilkes can continue her good form at Armidale. Picture: Bradley Photos

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Apprentice Shae Wilkes ride a double at Kempsey on Thursday and can do the same here.

INSIDE MAIL – ARMIDALE

RACE 1

Sellinya appreciated a step up to 1400m when third behind long odds-on fav Margot’s Bullseye at Coffs Harbour on Sept 5. There was merit in the run as she was wide early and had to be taken back to near last to get cover. Expect her to go forward here. Dipierdomenico in on a quick back-up after he boxed on for third behind Pony Soprano in a Super Maiden at Coffs Harbour last Sunday. Nose roll goes on again and drops in weight. Reasonable Doubt is backing up from Tamworth on Monday when down the track. Handy third there the start prior.

Bet: Sellinya to win

RACE 2

One Command found the 1000m at Muswellbrook too short first-up. Was fifth to Chevron over 1300m on debut on the Kensington. Will appreciate the extra distance. Meddlesome just laid out under pressure late when third to Holyrood Girl at Inverell on debut before a half-length third to Lady Of The Hunter at Moree. Drawn well. Charlie Bali resumed from a spell with a solid third behind Senalda after settling last and coming with a strong run along the fence. Placed third at his only run here.

Bet: One Command each-way

RACE 3

Descending Mist was on a quick back-up when eighth at Grafton on Sept 9. He was runner-up at three of his previous four starts including consecutive runs behind Reflecting Fame at Tamworth and at Moree on Sept 1. Trained here and drawn nicely. Fantastic Beast comes out of the same races when fourth at Tamworth after coming from last and third at Moree. Continuing to improve and will be prominent again. Mimessi was held up around the bend before finishing fourth to Don Quixote over 2230m at Grafton last start.

Bet: Descending Mist to win

RACE 4

Carbrook boxed on gamely for a two length third behind Fan Harder after racing three-wide on the speed when resuming at Muswellbrook on Sept 10. Placed at his first four runs last campaign. Gets in well here with the 3kg claim. Brea Ex pushed up on the rails to lead before finishing a half-length second to Senalda on debut at Tamworth before racing one off the fence when fourth to Te Pani at Moree. Won’t be far away again. Rembroy has claims on his second to Octavian Treasure at Tamworth on July 5. Had excuses his last two.

Bet: Carbrook to win

RACE 5

Lease had been racing consistently in stronger company prior to his last start seventh behind Kervette at Wyong. Broke his maiden second-up over My Mate Cobber at Newcastle before just being pipped at Goulburn. Will appreciate the 2kg claim of the in-form Shae Wilkes. Wanda River ended last campaign with a win at Gunnedah and kicked off this preparation with a nice win over Up The Country at Tamworth. Raced wide without cover when third at Moree last start. Chesteray and Turbo Charged have place claims.

Bet: Lease to win

RACE 6

Sacred Delago hasn’t had a lot of luck in each of his three runs this campaign when caught wide. Was narrowly beaten first-up when fourth at Tamworth and made ground when beaten two lengths by Lady Tulessa at Grafton last start. Expect him to lead here. Dis Is Heaven was a neck third to Lady Tulessa at Grafton first-up on Aug 20 before a second to Lordster at Coffs Harbour last start. Won third-up last campaign. Endless River was rewarded for his consistent form with a win at Grafton on Aug 31. Will be closing late.

Bet: Sacred Delago to win

RACE 7

Magic Flyer is knocking on the door for his third career win following three handy runs back from a spell. Made ground out wide on a heavy track when a two length fourth to Barraneer Buoy in a Class 2 at Tamworth on Aug 16 before racing keenly in the early and middle stages when runner-up to Leica Model at Moree on Sept 1. Sensational Reward resumed for his new stable when a solid second to Guru Class after racing outside the leader over 1190m at Grafton on Sept 9. Haw won over 1300m. Hit Song is up in class from his Bingara Bm50 win. Won his maiden at Tamworth winner back in July. Won’t be far away from the good draw.

Bet: Magic Flyer to win

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/horse-racing/armidale-tips-trainer-nikki-pollock-has-hit-song-in-fine-tune-to-keep-on-a-winning-roll/news-story/e3de7d0c3cf52a6ee74b112d9f1d4b30