Niblick Stars At Geelong

 

Well bred four-year-old Niblick looked a likely type for the future when he demoralised his rivals at Geelong this afternoon.

Sent out the favourite in his first run since running second at his only start in September last year, Niblick led throughout for the easiest of wins.

His margin at the home turn of a length was soon extended when he was asked to accelerate.

At the post Niblick ($2.50-$2.25 fav) held a massive seven length magin over a wall of horses headed by Alpha Tango Sierra. The runner-up was relegated to fourth after a subsequent protest heading.

Winning rider Nicholas Hall couldn’t help but be impressed with the effort of the Robert Hickmott trained Encosta de Lago gelding.

“He’s got good natural speed, so I used that to my advantage today,” Hall said after the race.

“He showed a good turn of foot, he added.

Niblick was a $220,000 purchase by Nick Williams from the draft of Swettenham Stud at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Nick races the gelding in company with his parents Lloyd and Suzy. The family has raced a number of star gallopers over the years including Mahogany, Just a Dash, Reset, Efficient, Zipping and Merlene.

He is a half brother to the Group Two Sandown Guineas winner Moon Dragon – a winner of five races and earner of over $330,000.

Niblick’s dam Leica Vista, a daughter of Sir Tristram, won four races and earned black type when third in a listed Matron Stakes.

Leica Vista is a half sister to the Group One winner Leica Smile and stakes winning juvenile Dansino, the dam of Zagreb.

It is also the family of Group One winners Redding, Light Fantastic, Leica Guv , Leica Show and Pharaoh.