Australian Guineas-winning jockey Danny Nikolic is looking to make the most of a pick-up ride when he partners Victoria Derby winner Sangster in Friday night's Top Cut Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley.Nikolic will have his first race ride aboard the Trent Busuttin-trained gelding in the $200,000 Group 2, which is the feature of a premium eight-race night program, and a good showing will have him in line to ride the tough stayer in the rich Sydney classics later this autumn."I s

Australian Guineas-winning jockey Danny Nikolic is looking to make the most of a pick-up ride when he partners Victoria Derby winner Sangster in Friday night's Top Cut Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley.

Nikolic will have his first race ride aboard the Trent Busuttin-trained gelding in the $200,000 Group 2, which is the feature of a premium eight-race night program, and a good showing will have him in line to ride the tough stayer in the rich Sydney classics later this autumn.

"I spoke to Trent this morning and he said, 'if he runs well on Friday night, the ride's there in Sydney for you', but he wants to see a positive run this Friday night to warrant going up to Sydney," Nikolic said. "The horse has always been a consistent horse and he just thought the horse should have done more last start. He's obviously one of the better horses in the race if he can find his form."

Sangster hasn't shown his best since winning the $1.5 million Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby last October, when Hugh Bowman had the ride.

Jonathan Riddell partnered him at his first-up run in New Zealand, when last of eight behind Veyron in the Group 1 Waikato Sprint (1400m), while the suspended Mark Zahra was hit pilot at his return to Flemington, when second-last behind Mosheen in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m).

The step up to 2040m will be of benefit to the son of Savabeel, who is striving to join Blevic as the only Victoria Derby winner to also claim the Alister Clark, and Nikolic reported that he worked well at Flemington this morning.

"He's getting up a distance that probably suits him now," Nikolic said on RSN. "I worked him this morning out at Flemington and he gave me a good feel, his action was good, so he's got no problems there. I think, in general, his best performance is good enough to win this race if he turns up on the night."

Sangster will start from barrier two in the Alister Clark, which has attracted a quality field of 10. (www.racingvtoria.net.au)