Mudgee galloper Nictock enhanced his imposing record to five from six when winning the All Too Hard @ Vinery Handicap (1100m) at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Trainer Cameron Crockett booked the services of fellow NSW Central Westerner and leading jockey Hugh Bowman for the ride on Nictock ($2.30 fav) and got the desired outcome.
Bowman sent the son of Nicconi to the lead and the pair were never headed, holding a half-length margin on the Matthew Smith-trained Rebel Miss ($9) at the post. Allan Denham's Phuket ($5.50) finished a further 1-1/4 lengths back in third.
"With the scratchings he looked quite nicely placed. The wide draw didn't look good in a full field but with the scratchings out it wasn't the end of the world," Bowman said.
"He travelled well and showed what he's capable of."
Nictock's only blemish on his record came after a third-place finish in a Randwick Highway race in heavy (10) conditions last month.
"The heavy track probably brought us undone in the Highway," Crockett said.
"After his Highway run we game him four weeks just to freshen-up. Took him to Wellington basically for a barrier trial, I didn't think he would necessarily win, but this race today was always on the agenda if he had won.
"It's come off so it's great."
As Nictock is no longer eligible for the Highway series, Crockett said he would likely send the three-year-old for a spell before considering future races.
"I think his benchmark will be a bit too high for these midweek races now," he said.
"I'm not sure that the strength is quite there for a Saturday just yet so we might have to give him a little break and hope he comes back stronger so he can be competitive in the summer time."
The win took Bowman 2-1/2 wins clear of rival Brenton Avdulla in the Sydney Jockeys' Premiership.
