3 minute read

A return to the Gary Nickson stable has seen the triumphant return to form of Zakynthos Imprintz who is chasing his third straight win this Saturday at Warwick Farm.

Formerly trained by Nickson, the son of Footstepsinthesand was transferred to Sydney's leading trainer Chris Waller after he showed a lot of promise early on in his career.

Under the watchful eye of Nickson, Zakynthos Imprintz notched up three wins and three minor placings from just eight starts.

However once transferred to the Waller stable he failed to live up to early expectations collecting only one win from his next eight starts.

“To me he's a horse that just doesn't suit a big factory style stable,' Nickson said.

“You can't blame the trainers because they can't afford to have one strapper for every one or two of their horses.

“They just don't have the time or the resources to sit down and work out all the little chinks with them.”

Since returning to Nickson's Warwick Farm stable, the grey gelding has been in career best form with three wins and two minor placings from just eight starts.

"He really benefits from some hands on treatment and you've got to know him because when I got him back he had ear muffs on, winkers and a tongue control bit,” Nickson said.

“I just took it all that off and just started a fresh with him.

"He's been up since mid December and you wouldn't believe it I weighed him at the start of his preparation and I only weighed him last Sunday after he won and he weighed exactly the same.

"He just keeps training on, he always eats up well and never leaves a skerrick.'

Nickson attributes a lot of the five-year-old's recent success to the return to his Warwick Farm base.

"The luxury of Warwick Farm, which I believe is the best kept secret in racing is that he is able to go somewhere different to work every day.” Nickson said.

Up and coming apprentice rider Lauri Wray has enjoyed a very successful stint with the galloper having ridden him in every start this preparation.

"Lauri Wray has really been the icing on the cake for him, I picked her out about six months ago to come ride him and we've never looked back since,” Nickson said.

"She rides him about four days a week and they know each other backwards now.

"The pair have a great relationship. She brings him carrots every morning and I'm telling you he's never eaten carrots in his life and now he goes looking for them.'

In what will be his ninth run this preparation, Nickson sees no plans of spelling the gelding in the near future.

"If you keep placing him well he's just going to keep earning cheques,' Nickson said.

"You can't fault him and I don't see why he can't pose a threat in two weeks time at Warwick Farm back over the mile.

"To be honest I'd say he will only go out for a quick freshen up and be back in time for the races over Christmas.

"He'll go for a spell before he needs one, I'm not going to let him bottom out.'