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While he’s only small Tamworth trainer Cody Morgan believes, looking ahead, Nicobar is one of his most promising horses.
The lightly raced four-year-old will be out to confirm Morgan’s opinion of the son of Irish sire Authorized in the Piddingtons Armidale Class 1 Hcp (1100m) at Armidale tomorrow.
Nicobar has had just two career starts under Morgan registering a debut third to Gunnaza over 950m at Grafton on a heavy track on May 4 then 22 days later a powerful 5.5 length win in a 1100m maiden at Armidale on May 26.
Morgan immediately spelled the gelding following Armidale and he resumes tomorrow after a 151-day spell.
Nicobar was bought by Morgan’s father Glenn for $9000 at a tried horse sale after previously being under the Darley banner.
“He’s not very big and I think that’s probably the reason Darley moved him on,” Morgan said. “But even though he’s on the small side I like the horse.
“I’ve got a half a dozen or so at home and going forward he’s probably the pick of them.”
Nicobar had three trials with Darley before being purchased unraced by Morgan’s father.
Morgan said the gelding had been back in work for around three months and had the benefit of a 1000m trial at Armidale on October 12 when he finished third without being fully extended.
“Rather than give him another trial I decided to let him have a run,” Morgan said. “He’s not fully wound up but he’s done enough.
“The horse is well at the moment. I expect him to race well.”
Nicobar has been asked to carry topweight of 60kg. To offset the impost Morgan has engaged three-kilo claiming apprentice Mikayla Weir.
“Being on the small side the rise in weights makes it tougher,” Morgan reasoned. “I’m good friends with Mikalya’s master Todd Howlett and her claim will certainly help.”
Morgan isn’t sure how many runs Nicobar will have this preparation.
“He’s a better horse racing through the winter,” Morgan suggested. “He just loves wet tracks and he’s more likely to go through the grades in the winter months.
“He’s a horse that has got good speed and being by Authorized he should get 1400 metres down the track.”