Knicker Bocker has been nothing short of sensational in her first two Top End runs and she gets the chance to impress even further at Fannie Bay tomorrow.
The exciting sprinter has won those two starts by a combined total of 14.8 lengths and trainer Lynne Williams is taking her through the grades. Her next test comes tomorrow in the $10,200 Sky Racing 0-63 Hcp (1100m) and Williams thinks Knicker Bocker is ready to take the next step in her budding track career.
"She's been impressive and I think she's improved, she steps up in grade and we'll see how she goes," Williams said.
"Colin (Haddon) said she doesn't have to lead, she'll just sit and go when asked for an effort in the straight.
"He's fairly confident and you always love it when the jockey is confident," said Williams.
Everything looked to be going wrong pre-race at her last start.
It's a far cry from her previous life in Western Australia - Knicker Bocker's four unplaced starts were there in late 2009 - where she was injured and not being looked after very well.
She's relishing her new environment. "As far as we know she injured her back leg - had a cut across the front of her hock - and it just took so long to heal," Williams said.
"The owner in WA had to sell them to cover some debt and I think the horses are grateful we went and got them, they were skinny and in a pretty awful paddock."
Despite only having two runners, Williams has a strong hand in today's meeting with Golden Shekels also looking a winning chance.
Taking on the three-year-olds, Golden Shekels looked sharp winning first-up last month, but the trainer is somewhat wary of his inexperience against what looks to be an even bunch.
The five-race card at Fannie Bay gets underway at 3.12pm, with the last at 5.54pm.
Story courtesy of Tom Biddington, NT News
