19 Nov 2019Robert Hickmott is not one for hyperbole.
That's why, when he likens an emerging 78-rater to one of the best horses he's ever trained, it's worth taking note.
The Caulfield horseman on Wednesday morning made the comparison between Bumper Blast, a last-start winner of the Off The Track Subzero Handicap who will chase a third-consecutive win at Ballarat on Saturday, and his 2013 Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner.
While their physical likeness is obvious - both horses are grey - Hickmott said the Ocean Park gelding had continued to improve with each gallop and each race, just as Fawkner did during his racing career.
It's why Hickmott is confident the four-year-old can lug the 60kg top weight to victory in what will be only his fourth racetrack appearance in Saturday's $125,000 McKellar Mile (1600m).
"He can remind me a little bit of Fawkner when he was coming through, he was pretty unassuming early days but all he's done is improve as he's matured, both physically and mentally," Hickmott told RSN927.
"He's a nice cut of a horse, he stands at probably 16 (hands)-and-a-quarter and (weighs) about 530kg so he's the right style of horse to take him through to those classes.
"I'm very hopeful he can make that sort of (Stakes) grade later on.
"He did a piece of work on Monday and it was probably the best piece of work I've seen from the horse all preparation so we head into Saturday with plenty of confidence."
Source: James Tzaferis, Racing.com