05-07-2025
Michael Hickmott weighs in with a double at Gawler
The Michael Hickmott stable had a day out at Gawler with two winners carrying big weights.
Both Motorace (race five) and Wine Barron (race seven) carried 60kg or more to victory and the latter did it in dominant fashion.
Wine Barron had only won the two races from 20 starts leading into Saturday's four-length romp but he's now taken out two of his last three.
Gemma Stapleton, stable representative of the Hickmott stable, was rapt with the way Wine Barron relaxed under jockey Todd Pannell given he can be a horse that does a bit wrong in his races.
'It's just great to see him put himself into the race and relax under Todd (Pannell),' Stapleton said.
'He ran his own race today so it's good to see him back in form.
'He seems to run into bad luck or things don't go his own way so it was good to see Todd take that out of the equation and lead.
'I'd say he's not the easiest horse to handle but he's really starting to put it together.'
Speaking of Pannell, he too left Gawler with a double after taking out the final leg of the quaddie with Nurys.
Wine Barron kicks clear in a dominant front-running ride to bounce back emphatically into the winner's circle 😤 @mhbloodstock pick up a double at Gawler ✌�
â€' (@Racing) July 5, 2025
Pannell had rode Wine Barron on seven occasions without a win leading into Saturday and was glad to get the monkey off the back and reward connections.
'I was just trying to keep him on a long rein because he can be quite strong sometimes as well so I let him get comfortable and he responded well,' Pannell said.
'It's been a while since he's put it all together but it's good to see him handle the conditions and he just didn't make a mistake throughout the race.
'They're fantastic staff at Hickmott Racing so a big credit to them.'
Jockey Jacob Opperman also booted home a double across the nine race card with winning rides aboard Koratora (race one) and Bancoora (race eight).
Bancoora was rated as the longer priced runner of the two, getting sent out at double figures but he won like an odds on favourite.
'I was really confident coming to the corner,' Opperman said.
'He's still quite green but that was really good for his confidence.
'When I gave him the gap he worked through it nicely and I think this will be great for him going forward.'
