Nic Williams thinks 3,200m could be a bit much for I'm Imposing
Nic Williams owns a nice stable of horses trained out of Robert Hickmott’s stable in Victoria.
While much of the focus so far this year has been on sprinters, William’s team is likely to come into their own as the races begin to increase in distance during the spring.
Many considered him to be in a prime position to launch a raid on the Melbourne Cup, however he’s found out that in terms of genuine stayers he’s not quite as well suited as he would have liked.
Three of his most important horses moving forward are English import I’m Imposing, as well as Linton and Base.
Their performances are crucial for William’s success in the 2011 spring carnival but as yet he’s not entirely sure what direction they’ll be taking.
I’m Imposing was originally touted as a Cup’s horse but he now believes the 3200m could be a bit much of a trip.
“I think he’s probably a mile and a quarter horse,” Williams said.
He’s had five runs in Australia since coming across from the UK and eh showed early promise but has faded away slightly.
“His first race for us which was two weeks out of quarantine was on Thousand Guineas Day at Caulfield which he won,” he said.
That debut run at Caulfield was over 2000m and he was stepped up to the 2800m next time out.
A solid fourth there gave hope that he might stay but Williams wasn’t overly convinced.
Next prep he ran sixth over 1600m, 8th over 1800m and failed again over 2000m.
William’s is desperate to find him the right trip and win a good race to boost his alreayd promising stud outlook.
“He’s another one with a great pedigree, he’s a real stallion prospect,” he said.
Linton is probably the most well known of his horses and he’s another where finding a race won’t be overly easy.
Linton did of course run in the 2010 Melbourne Cup but after finishing ahead of just two other horses the 3200m appeared too much of a journey.
William’s said that was something he was made sure of when Linton ran third in The BMW at Rosehill last start.
“What the BMW taught us was that he doesn’t stay,” he said.
“He’s another mile and a quarter horse getting set for the Cox Plate.”
Linton came agonisingly close to breaking through for his maiden Group 1 win last prep when only Melbourne Cup winner Shocking beat him home in the Australian Cup.
While William’s seems to have lost his chance at a Melbourne Cup with those horses there is one which he says could come through for him.
He has a huge opinion of four year old gelding Base which is yet to finish out of the money in eight starts.
He’s already won over 2000m and ran third in his last start when stepping up to the Queen’s Cup at Rosehill.
“He’s a real stayer of the future I think,” Williams said.
“He’ll be going through the grades early in the spring and we see where he gets to.”
While the horse would certainly be facing a massive jump in class, he will be nominated for the Cup so he’ll get there if good enough.
