Voilier finally wins after long drought

Gary Nickson has never doubted Voilier had another win in him after the gelding made the perfect start to his career at Rosehill.

But it has taken the now five-year-old 1133 days and 30 starts to justify that faith at Randwick.

When Voilier won a 2YO Plate on December 6, 2014 the small-scale Warwick Farm trainer thought he was on to a winner.

That belief was reinforced by a second in the Group Two Silver Slipper in his next outing in early 2015 but then Voilier ran into a plethora of quality opposition.

“There were a good lot of two year-olds. It was just bad luck for him,” Nickson said.

“He’s Group placed, Listed placed, he just couldn’t win a race after his first start.”

Voilier’s record also includes seconds in the Group Three Up And Coming Stakes, The Rosebud and his last black-type run in the 2016 Listed Carrington Stakes.

His win in Saturday’s #Attheraces Handicap (1400m) was a just reward for his connections.

“It means a lot for the owners,” Nickson said.

“I was confident this day would come, it had to. He just needs everything to fall into place for him.

“He needs pace on then he finishes off as strong as any of them.”

Voilier ($15) utilised that turn of foot under Jay Ford to beat $2.40 favourite Samadoubt by a half-neck.

“We only have 15 in work. We don’t get many good ones but he’s repaid us today,” Nickson said.