School day win lands Nickalls in strife

[Wandering Eyes]

Stephen Nickalls might be heading home from Hawera with a smile on his face, but he could be in a bit of trouble when he gets there. 

Nickalls’ Group One performer Chase (NZ) (Zed) returned to the winner’s circle on Tuesday when taking out the Scott Roberts @ Metcalfe Real Estate (1600m), but there was someone special missing from the winning photo, his daughter Mya, who is the rising nine-year-old’s biggest fan. 

Mya was set to be trackside for the race on Saturday, but adverse weather and track conditions forced the meeting to be postponed to Tuesday, just two days back into term time at school.  

“I am a little worried with how much trouble I will be in with my daughter when I get home,” Nickalls quipped.  

“She was coming when it was on Saturday, but they postponed it and she had to go to school. She will be excited but annoyed at me. 

“He has been a genuine family horse right from the day we bought him. My daughter goes and catches him and brings him in, puts him out and rides him back from work. We are very blessed to have him as part of the family.” 

Nickalls was optimistic heading to Tuesday, despite his 60kg impost, and said he had a gut feeling of a positive result when fetching his charge from the paddock on raceday morning. 

“He went fantastic last start (when third) in that deep mud at Wellington,” he said. “I was a bit concerned about the weight, he was giving everything 3.5kg and more and on that really heavy track. 

“I caught him in the paddock to put on the truck and he had a feel about him today and when he is in that kind of mood you know he is ready to rumble. 

“Amber (Riddell, jockey) said he jumped with them and travelled really well and towed her into the race. When he is in that kind of mood, he is a very good horse.” 

Nickalls was stoked with the result and said it was made even more special with longtime family friend Amber Riddell in the saddle. 

“He has been such a good horse to us, and he is such an honest horse, it’s an absolute thrill,” he said. 

“Amber has been part of the family for a long time too. Amber came out and rode for us years ago and schooled jumpers when she was at school.  

“Amber had a couple of ponies, and she used to come out and have a few lessons and then she would come out and ride ours.  

“Wins like that is what it is all about, doing it with people that you have had a good connection with for a long time. 

“We are only a small team and we are blessed with the people we have to help us.” 

Nickalls doesn’t have any set plans for Chase but said he will make sure his next target lands on a weekend. 

“We will just find somewhere nice, but we will just make sure it is a Saturday so Mya can come,” he said.

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