Melbourne jockey Danny Nikolic will make his annual pilgrimage to the NSW north coast for this week's Coffs Harbour Cup carnival after he rides glamour filly Mosheen in a barrier trial at Cranbourne on Monday morning.
Mosheen and Danny Nikolic, picture Sportpix.com.au
"I'll be at Cranbourne to ride Mosheen and then I will be jumping on a flight to Coffs Harbour,' Nikolic said.
"It's a great carnival and I am looking forward to riding over the two days on Wednesday and Thursday.
"I've had plenty of luck on my past visits and hope it can continue as I have some very good mounts lined up."
Nikolic has been a big hit at the Coffs Harbour carnival since he made his first visit two years ago.
In 2010 he rode four winners over the two days including victory in the Coffs Harbour Cup on Mossurmi for Sydney trainer Marc Conners.
Last year he missed out on a ride in the Coffs Harbour Cup but was compensated when he rode a winning double on Cup Day.
"Unfortunately It looks like I will miss out on a Cup ride again this year because there are few runners handicapped above my weight limit but my book looks good in other races," Nikolic said.
Nikolic was on the north coast last week enjoying a holiday at Byron Bay but had to return to Melbourne when plans to run four-time Group One winner Mosheen in Monday's trial at Cranbourne were confirmed by trainer Robert Smerdon.
"I will go anywhere to ride Mosheen any time. I wasn't going to let anybody else get on her in the trial," Nikolic said.
Queensland star Carry Me Bluey is set to carry the topweight in Thursday's $80,000 Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m) with his Toowoomba trainer Norm Hilton expected to offset his big weight of 59.5kg with rookie claiming apprentice Alannah Fancourt.
Fancourt, who has enjoyed a great run of success since she started riding in March, recorded her biggest win when she landed the South Grafton Cup on Call Me Bluey on July 8.
Top Brisbane rider Rick McMahon replaced Fancourt when Call Me Bluey finished third at his latest start in the Listed Tattersalls Mile at Eagle Farm on July 21 won by another Coffs Harbour Cup entry Hour Of Peril.
The Nathan Tinkler-owned Hour Of Peril has 58.5kg in the Coffs Harbour Cup with Jeff Lloyd to retain the ride if trainer John Thompson decides to send the gelding to Coffs Harbour.
Lloyd combined with Thompson to win the Grafton Cup with Shamardashing for Tinkler's Patinack Farm syndicate on July 12.