Newcastle preview: Consistent Greg Hickman-trained pair Unwritten, Namoi River primed to strike

Trainer Greg Hickman couldn’t be happier with his Unwritten and Namoi River heading to their respective races in the Hunter Valley this weekend but he is a little concerned about the weather.

Trainer Greg Hickman couldn’t be happier with his Unwritten and Namoi River heading to their respective races in the Hunter Valley this weekend but he is a little concerned about the weather.

The recent performances of the pair has delighted Hickman and he feels both horses are building nicely towards a well-deserved win.

However, the forecast for heavy rain has him a little nervous.

“My biggest problem and everyone’s biggest problem will be the rain that’s coming,” Hickman said.

“If we get the amount of rain that’s predicted, there is a possibility we might not even race. Hopefully that isn’t the case.”

Unwritten has raced consistently this campaign and is knocking on the door for an overdue win.

The five-year-old came from well back when runner-up behind Broadway Bouncer over 1100m at Hawkesbury three runs back before a third to Ramones over 1200m at Gosford.

He then had to drop back to 1100m when fourth behind Divine Vicky on a heavy 9 track at Kembla last start after losing his off-fore plate in the run.

Trainer Greg Hickman. Picture: Grant Guy

• EXPERT TIPS: Professional punter James Molony’s race-by-race tips and analysis for Rosehill on Saturday

“Losing a plate in the run is never ideal,” he said.

“He is going well and can do anything at the moment.

“He won his maiden over 1500 metres and his next three wins were over 1000 metres.

“I’m very happy with him and he is knocking on the door for another win, that’s for sure.

“All I know is that he is a healthy and happy horse.

“Hopefully, the races will weaken off a bit over the winter and we can get him back to town.”

Namoi River finished last when resuming at Warwick Farm back in January after missing the start by two lengths but after a handy third barrier trial, he went to Bathurst and was good when runner-up behind Paris Lad over 1200m on February 29.

Following a break, he returned with a second behind the heavily-backed Godolphin debutant, Kerguelen again over 1200m on a Heavy 9 at Kembla on May 18.

A brilliant debutant for the dearly departed Lonhro from a great family.

Kerguelen (3g Lonhro x Zeehan) with @DarleyAus
The dam a 3/4 sister to G3 winner Believe'n'succeed - dam of English Derby winner Anthony Van Dyke and Champion NZ Sprinter Bounding.

The full-sister is Lot… pic.twitter.com/8jXPzFN9Bz

— Breednet (@BreednetNews) May 18, 2024

• ‘Come back really well’: Waller’s Lord Mayors Cup triple threat

“He is knocking on the door too,” Hickman said.

“I thought if the apprentice had him on the mark when I asked him to be, we wouldn’t have had to give the winner as much of a head start as we did.

“At Kembla last start, we just bumped into one who looks very smart.

“Christian (Reith) got off him and said he wants a mile.

“I just thought, I would give him this run over the 1250 metres and see what happens. I can then step him up in distance.

“Most of my horses take a couple of runs to hit their peak third and fourth-up. They tend to race themselves to peak fitness.

“I have been happy with him and that run at Kembla has brought him on.

“He has done well during the week and I expect him to run another good race.”

Hickman reported that his Group 1-placed filly Private Legacy suffered cardiac arrhythmia when she was eased out of the Group 2 The Roses at Doomben last weekend.

“A lot of horses get it and the funny thing is they quite often come out and win next start,” he said.

“I wasn’t going to push her to the Oaks after that and there are other races out there for her

“She has gone for a nice spell for eight weeks and we will bring her back for the Magic Millions staying race (Subzero Quality) in January.”

Originally published as Newcastle preview: Consistent Greg Hickman-trained pair Unwritten, Namoi River primed to strike