Nicky Baby – broke duck at Chelmsford
NICKY BABY may have been having his 24th race yesterday but he broke his duck in fine style when running out a 25/1 winner by a length and a quarter at Chelmsford for owner, Mrs Doreen Carter.
The five-year-old grey gelding by Dark Angel was one of 13 runners in the Classified Stakes over a mile for four-year-olds and upwards rated 0-50 and they included stablemate, Red Cossack, who according to the betting looked the stable first string. Ridden by seven pound claimer, Sophie Ralston, who rode him last time out, Nicky Baby took a keen hold but hit the front from the start and made all to beat the favourite, Imperial Act. This was an impressive performance from the grey who was the joint-lowest rated on 42 and therefore worse off at the weights with eleven of the field, although Sophie’s seven pound claim helped offset the weight disadvantage.
Prior to yesterday, Nicky Baby had recorded just one second and three fourths in 23 races but there were signs that his turn may not be far away when last time out he was beaten just and 1 3/4 lengths over a mile and a quarter at Lingfield. The drop back in trip to a mile clearly suited yesterday and he duly obliged. This was Sophie’s first win of the year from just fourteen rides so congratulations to her.
Congratulations also to winning owner, Mrs Doreen Carter, whose patience with Nicky Baby has been rewarded. Doreen has had horses at Harper Lodge Farm for many years and her current string includes Nezar and Soaring Spirits, who has won nine times for her in 67 starts.
Yesterday’s victory was the stable’s third winner from eleven races this month and now puts the yard on nine wins for the year.
