Lee-trained Nickelback tunes up for Big Dance chance

A sparingly raced six-year-old can lay down an audacious late marker for a Big Dance berth when he tackles a feature Benchmark 66 Hcp at Monday’s Grafton meeting. Well named Nickelback, out of the mare Rock Style, looks well-placed to record back-to-back wins four weeks after easily accounting for a handy Class 3 field over 1400m at Casino. Racing returns to Grafton on Monday.

Credit: Getty And after four runs into this prep, the stars might just be lining up for Nickelback’s owners and Ballina-based trainer Stephen Lee. The Lismore Cup over 1516m on September 27 will give the winner a start in the $3 million Big Dance at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day. Certainly Nickelback will need luck and everything to go his way to make that field, but a fourth career win and first at Grafton could prove a vital stepping stone.



The weather gods are also playing their part in the gelding’s latest campaign. All three of Nickelback’s wins from 26 starts have come on firm ground, and he should get close to that over his pet distance at Grafton. In a competitive betting race, with Lee accepting for three runners, Nickelback was around $4.

40 in early betting ahead of Leica Model and Frappe at $5.50, Smooth Torque $6.50 and Wonderwhen $8.

50. And he could be part of a strong day for Lee who has several runners engaged. Earlier in a BM 58 Hcp over 1190m, the Lee stable will bank on a sharp drop in class kick-starting the prep of another six-year-old in Eagle Hawk Star.

A troubled son of Star Turn who went through several stable changes across three states earlier in his career, he hasn’t won since a BM 64 success at Cranbourne 16 months ago. But Eagle Hawk Star will relish a far more modest Grafton assignment having taken on a BM 68 field at Doomben, and CL2 Highway company at Randwick in two of his last three outings. Then in the closing Class 1 Hcp over 1115m, Lee-trained mare Pressalong will attempt to make it two from two after a dominant debut win at Casino four weeks ago.

By Group 1 Caulfield Guineas winner Press Statement, Pressalong has been earmarked for a bright future, although this time will have to overcome a wide barrier. Supplied by Racing NSW Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.

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