A couple of years back Tucabia trainer Felicity Firth fielded a phone call from Victoria offering to sell a half-brother to her smart sprinter Umatrick, winner of the 2005 John Carlton Cup.

The yearling was named Slick Nick and the call came from trainer Jenny Gillis who earlier sold Umatrick to Firth as a three-year-old.

Firth however, baulked at the asking price. But when Gillis again rang earlier this year offering Slick Nick, subsequently the winner of four from nine starts, Firth organised a syndicate to purchase the promising four-year-old.

Tomorrow at Grafton another chapter in what could be a fairytale story and a second chance of Ramornie glory unfolds for a bunch of battlers from the tiny township of Tucabia.

Slick Nick tackles the Roches Hotel Open Hcp (1200m) with Andrew Parramore in the saddle.

“We paid a bit for him but I think he’s going to be a very good buy,” Firth said. “He’s only been lightly raced. The best is ahead of him.”

Slick Nick made his debut for Firth at Grafton over 1100m on April 3.

Backed from $4 into $2.50 favouritism, Slick Nick steamed home to beat Sun Vegas by a half neck.

“To be honest we weren’t sure how he’d go first-up,” Firth admitted. “His work had been good but he’d been hanging badly.

“He’d had two previous warnings in Victoria, he’d hung like a bugger on the track but in the race he went straight as a gun barrel.”

Slick Nick is raced by Firth, Tucabia general store owners, Firth’s sister Diana Ball and her husband Russell, train driver Tony McKenna, MacLean Fisherman’s Co Operative owners Paul and Rhonda Plummer and retired Southgate dairy farmer, Eddy Smith.

“Myself, Diana and Russell were all in Umatrick and Eddy was offered a share but knocked it back,” Firth said.

Umatrick, who finished sixth to King Rex in the 2005 Ramornie and fourth to For Valour the following year retired with a record of 14 wins and 18 placing’s from 58 starts earning $168,025.

“He’ll have a good home for life. He’s doing the pony thing with the kids,” Firth said.

Umatrick and Slick Nick are totally different horses in build and looks.

“Umatrick was a good looker, Slick Nick big and gangly. Andrew (Parramore) reckons he’s as ugly as a hatful,” Firth said.

“Their mannerisms are similar but Slick Nick is a bit of a character. You can’t take him for an afternoon walk, he bucks and rears on the end of a lead.

“He’s done beautifully since his last win. He worked brilliant on Thursday morning. I think some of the top weights will find it hard beating him at the weights.

“If he goes well I’ll take him up to Brisbane. I don’t know if I can get him qualified for this year’s Ramornie but definitely that’s the plan next year, that‘s our dream.”

By Tony White