Danny Nikolic and Rob Heathcote will continue their association when Woorim attempts to give the Queensland trainer his first Group One success in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield.Nick Hall was listed as the rider for Woorim when acceptances were published on Wednesday.But Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey said that he had spoken to Heathcote who told him that Nikolic would be riding the five-year-old."Danny Nikolic will be riding the horse as I understand it," Bailey said.Howe
Danny Nikolic and Rob Heathcote will continue their association when Woorim attempts to give the Queensland trainer his first Group One success in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield.
Nick Hall was listed as the rider for Woorim when acceptances were published on Wednesday.
But Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey said that he had spoken to Heathcote who told him that Nikolic would be riding the five-year-old.
"Danny Nikolic will be riding the horse as I understand it," Bailey said.
However Hall has made an application for a winning or losing riding fee as his manager Adrian Coyne believes he had a firm booking for Woorim.
Bailey said whether Hall was entitled to a fee would probably not be sorted out until Saturday's race meeting when stewards got both parties together.
Nikolic and Heathcote have struck up a strong partnership in recent times with promising three-year-old Buffering who has finished second at his past two starts in the Group Three Up And Coming Stakes at Warwick Farm and Group Two Danehill Stakes at Flemington.
Nikolic, who replaces last-start rider Stathi Katsidis in Saturday's 1400-metre feature, has had a long and successful association with Woorim's owner Ross Cutts and won the Group One Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm in 2002 for him aboard the gelding's sire, Show A Heart.
Heathcote, last season's premier trainer in Brisbane, was over the moon with Woorim's effort to finish eighth, beaten just over two lengths, by Perturbo at Moonee Valley last Saturday.
It was the five-year-old's first appearance since winning the Listed Glasshouse Hcp (1400m) at Caloundra on July 3.
Heathcote isn't worried about the quick back-up for Woorim who had difficulty obtaining a clear run for Katsidis at the Valley.
"He's won second-up in the past and he's also won backing up but this is a Group One," Heathcote said.
"It's a huge jump in class but he's drawn well (barrier two) and we're not kidding ourselves what he's up against.
"I was delighted with his run at Moonee Valley and he wasn't totally at home but he got to the line strongly.
"He was held up in traffic trying to get into the clear and went to the line with one slap down the shoulder."
The Peter Moody-trained Doubtful Jack ($2.80 fav) is chasing his fifth straight win but faces his toughest test to date under 58kg from barrier 10 in the 17-horse field on an improving track which was rated a dead (4) on Wednesday.
Matron Stakes winner Response, who drew barrier five, is at $7, Sister Madly (barrier seven) at $9, Rightfully Yours (gate four) at $10, with No Evidence Needed (barrier six) and Woorim next best at $12.