A sparingly raced six-year-old can lay down an audacious late marker for a Big Dance berth when he tackles a feature Benchmark 66 Hcp at Monday’s Grafton meeting.
Well named Nickelback, out of the mare Rock Style, looks well-placed to record back-to-back wins four weeks after easily accounting for a handy Class 3 field over 1400m at Casino.
Racing returns to Grafton on Monday.Credit: Getty
And after four runs into this prep, the stars might just be lining up for Nickelback’s owners and Ballina-based trainer Stephen Lee.
The Lismore Cup over 1516m on September 27 will give the winner a start in the $3 million Big Dance at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day.
Certainly Nickelback will need luck and everything to go his way to make that field, but a fourth career win and first at Grafton could prove a vital stepping stone.
The weather gods are also playing their part in the gelding’s latest campaign.
All three of Nickelback’s wins from 26 starts have come on firm ground, and he should get close to that over his pet distance at Grafton.
In a competitive betting race, with Lee accepting for three runners, Nickelback was around $4.40 in early betting ahead of Leica Model and Frappe at $5.50, Smooth Torque $6.50 and Wonderwhen $8.50.
And he could be part of a strong day for Lee who has several runners engaged.