He may have had a quiet Darwin Cup Carnival thus far, but trainer Michael Hickmott isn't overly concerned.
With three days of the 2011 program left to go, Hickmott is still a chance of winning two of the three remaining feature races.
Today he saddles up five-year-old gelding Academy Magic in the $30,000 Colemans Printing Handicap (1200m) and six-year-old gelding Agarkar has been guaranteed a start in the $175,000 Carlton Mid Darwin Cup (2000m) on Monday.
Although he is 10th in the order of entry, Hickmott has yet to make a decision about Agarkar's participation in the Cup.
"Agarkar is jumping out of his skin, but the barrier draw could decide his fate because I'm not going to start a horse to just make up the numbers," he said.
At just 22 years of age, Hickmott has already landed two Cup victories with General Market (2007) and Activation (2009).
The euphoria of winning Darwin's premier event has also had its heartache with Activation breaking down in last year's Cup - won by Shout Out Loud.
"Activation suffered an injury turning out of the straight in last year's Cup and although he completed the race it ended up being his last start because he has since retired," Hick- mott said.
"I was pretty close to Activation and a lot of hard work went into his Cup win, so it was indeed a sad occasion last year."
After moving to the NT with stable foreman Louis Paech, also a close friend, from South Australia as 18-year-olds, Hickmott returned to Adelaide late last year.
"I deal with clients and owners down south and here in the north, and I will con- tinue to bring horses to the Territory if I think they can win the big staying races," he said.
"The sprint races don't appeal to me, but if I have a three-year-old who can win the NT Derby or a stayer who can win either the Darwin or Alice Springs Cups I'll certainly enter them."
Hickmott only had eyes for the Alice Springs Cup (2000m) in May when he entered Agarkar, who ran second behind Naratel.
"Academy Magic ran well when he finished third behind Bankers Lamp over 1200m in his first start at Fannie Bay (on July 2) after arriving from Victoria and drawing the inside gate is a bonus," Hickmott said.
"He will run an honest race - but it's a pretty good field."
Breakfast with the Stars takes place at Fannie Bay on Thursday morning from 6.30am.
Throughout the morning a host of insightful comments and interviews with numerous racing personalities, trainers and jockeys who join us each year for the Carlton Mid Darwin Cup Carnival are conducted trackside by local race-caller Mick Stumbles.
With punters searching for all the good oil and others simply taking in the Cup weekend build up on a wonderful “dry season morning at the bay”, be sure to be trackside for this year’s Trans Territory Foods Breakfast with the Stars.
Entry is free.
Story courtesy of David White, NT News
