Jockey Danny Nikolic was seen at his best with a ground-saving ride on Metal Bender to win Saturday's Randwick Guineas and claim his first Group One victory for almost 18 months.The Jack Denham-trained Metal Bender was sent out a $21 chance with Caymans ($4 fav) and Mic Mac ($5) the most fancied and Rock Kingdom backed from $9 to $6.Nikolic had ridden Metal Bender in four of his previous five starts for three wins and a second but punters were wary of the rise in class and his last-start failure

Jockey Danny Nikolic was seen at his best with a ground-saving ride on Metal Bender to win Saturday's Randwick Guineas and claim his first Group One victory for almost 18 months.

The Jack Denham-trained Metal Bender was sent out a $21 chance with Caymans ($4 fav) and Mic Mac ($5) the most fancied and Rock Kingdom backed from $9 to $6.

Nikolic had ridden Metal Bender in four of his previous five starts for three wins and a second but punters were wary of the rise in class and his last-start failure on a wet track.

His rider kept faith and Denham kept his faith in Nikolic who brought Metal Bender along the inside from near last on the turn to beat Rock Kingdom by three-quarters of a length.

Caymans was the same margin away third with the Allan Denham-trained Tobique ($20) an eye-catching fourth from Mic Mac.

"My last Group One winner was Serious Speed in the 2007 Thousand Guineas," Nikolic said.

"Sometimes it has been a bit frustrating but now that I've won a good race, hopefully people will take notice.

"It's a chance to get going again.

"I'm grateful to the Denhams and to the owner David Fuller for sticking with me."

Fuller has been racing horses for about a decade with Metal Bender his first Group One winner.

"It's a great thrill, I've had winners but nothing like this," Fuller said.

The Denhams are no strangers to Group One winners but Allan Denham said it was particularly satisfying to see Metal Bender step up.

"We thought we had him for $50,000 at the sales but then we were forced to go higher because Peter Moody tried to buy him," he said.

"People dropped off him because of his last start but that was due to the wet track.

"He will be even better over more ground heading to the Derby."

Tobique, who won the Canberra Guineas last Sunday, is also headed towards the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) in two weeks and the AJC Australian Derby (2400m) but the other Denham runner, Youthful Jack who finished ninth, will not be there.

"I think he struggled at the mile (1600m) and he also might have had enough for now," Denham said.

Geoff and Beryl White, who own Tobique, are excited about his prospects.

"It was a great run and he will be even better when he gets to the Derby," Beryl White said.

Greg Eurell will take the previously unbeaten Mic Mac back to Victoria for a break to get him ready for the spring.

"I don't think the 1600 metres was a problem, I think it's indicative that he needs a spell," Eurell said.

"He has done a mighty job in his first preparation so he will have two months off and we will get him ready for the big races in the spring."

With two Group One races, the Ranvet Stakes and Coolmore Classic, next Saturday, Nikolic is without rides in either at this stage but says he hopes that changes in the next couple of days.