3 minute read
Greg Hickman has had Friday’s $250,000 Group 3-Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) circled on the calendar and hopes to use the fillies feature as the perfect stepping stone to Group 1 glory this autumn with his promising filly Private Legacy.
Gregory Hickman has always held his filly in high regard and plans has her on a path to Sydney's fillies classic races this autumn.
But Private Legacy will chase a maiden stakes win at Kembla Grange first as one of the leading chances in Kembla's marquee race for three-year-old fillies.
Hickman brought Private Legacy to Kembla Grange last start to prepare her for her date with the Classic and the daughter of The Autumn Sun was able to win over the same track and trip.
"It was the plan to go to Goulburn and we got beaten, then to go to Kembla but this was a race we had picked out along the way," Hickman said.
"I thought her win was good. She sat back in a funny run race but she was good enough against the older horses. She ran very well.
"She will go to the [Group 1] Vinery Stud Stakes after Friday then onto the [Australian] Oaks."
Hickman threw Private Legacy in the deep end last preparation with the filly running in all four legs of Sydney's Princess Series.
It culminated with a creditable seventh in the Group 1-Flight Stakes, won by top filly Tropical Squall.
"I think she has come on a fair bit since the spring," Hickman said.
"There's still plenty of improvement in her. I know we all say it but I still think she is still six or 12 months away from showing her best."
Private Legacy is an $9 chance on TAB with Rachel King booked to ride in the Classic against the likes of Tutta La Vita ($3.20 favourite), Arctic Glamour ($4.40) and Harlow Mist ($10).
Hickman has three chances across the card with last start winner Insider Trader ($6.50) looking to continue his good form in the Assett Professional Services Kembla Grange Stayers Cup-Benchmark 68 Handicap (2400m).
Insider Trader was a winner over 2300m at Newcastle last time: "Insider Trader has done everything right," Hickman said.
"It's the right progression for him and to save him having three weeks between runs, it will be two after this."
Stablemate Tiger Town ($23) will attempt to bounce back to top form in the Avcon Projects Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m). The son of Jungle Cat was off his game last start when sixth in the Canberra Guineas Preview (1400m) on February 23.
"I was pretty confused about Tiger Town's run the other day," Hickman said. "All of his work was good through the week leading up to the race and it's been good again this week.
"I expected more of him at Canberra. The thing about him is he is bred to get over a mile plus so we will head that way now."
Brock Ryan rides Insider Trader and Tiger Town.
