Trots Centre: Rhys settles in for True Mildura Style racing

It took a few drives to get his eye in, but Rhys Nicholson has quickly adapted to racing in Mildura.

The talented reinsman wasn't able to get a winner at his first meeting since moving to the region in recent weeks, but landed a double last Friday night behind The Defiant and Pur Dan.

Nicholson has recently moved to Mildura to work in horse transport with family friend Mel Bagnato and also spends some time helping out at Allan MacDonald's stables in Irymple South. Then on Friday nights, it's off to the races.

"(Mel) is full of work and he said he needed someone in Mildura," Nicholson said.

"I thought it was a perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone ... go up there and hopefully pick up a few drives and do a bit of horse transporting and it's working out really well.

"Frank Legana pushed me out of his businesses in hospitality to chase my dreams in this industry and is a very big backing in my future."

Tonight, Nicholson has a book of nine drives on the 10-race card and has declared The Defiant as his best chance of the night.

Here's how he sees his runners:

Race 1: Tinhorn (Kate Attard)

Never driven him before but Kate is pretty confident with the barrier draw. Will be a top three finisher.

Race 2: Loyola Golf (David Nunn)

Haven't spoken to David yet and don't know the horse very well, but it's not a high grading field so maybe with a bit of luck, who knows?

Race 4: Dawns Peach (Ricky O'Brien)

Bit unlucky last week, got stuck on the fence. Stable very confident and should be up in the finish.

Race 5: The Defiant (Allan MacDonald)

He was obviously below average his first start up here and that was because of the gap between runs and moving up here. I'll be thinking he will find the front here and be very hard to beat.

Race 6: Velox Equus (Kate Attard)

Bernie Winkle is just having a field day at the minute until something else comes up, but this horse has actually been racing really well. I see him maybe finishing third this week, in the top three positions hopefully.

Race 7: Pur Dan (Lachlan Prothero)

This is the sort of horse that has the ability of the world but doesn't like winning - we all know that. He's put one on the board and if he can put two together who knows where the (sky) is for him?

Race 8: Smynic (Chris Smythe)

The horse has got a lot of ability and the stable is very confident in him. Last week was the first time I drove him and I sort of let him get away on me and it's the sort of horse you've got to get up and keep honest. This week we will see a different horse.

Race 9: His A Dreamer (Terry Gange)

First-up hit the line strong and I'll probably end up going back here again, looking for a spot and finishing off late.

Race 10: Aussie Cash (Allan MacDonald)

The stable is pretty happy with him... I drove him at the trials on Sunday and he trialled pretty well, so in a low enough grade, three-year-old maiden here, I see him in the top three.

Best of the night?

The Defiant

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