Dickens, a newcomer to the Riccarton stable of Peter Rudkin, won a trial at Ashburton yesterday.
The Istidaad gelding has won 2000m races at Dargaville, Hastings and Te Awamutu when trained at Matamata by Regan Donnison. Flying Legend, now trained by Brian Court, also won an open trial. The Savabeel gelding won a 2000m maiden at Matamata in March when trained there by Paul Shailer.
• Jockey Danny Nikolic was yesterday formally charged on two counts of making threatening comments towards Victorian chief steward Terry Bailey, who stood him down from riding last week. The charges will be heard by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board tomorrow after it considers an appeal by Nikolic over an indefinite ban from riding issued at the Seymour meeting.
