Ryal Bush trainer-driver Nathan Williamson has been disappointed with the 3yr-old Art Major colt in his three runs back from a spell.
''Judging by his form prior to Christmas time, I was hoping he would develop into a realistic each-way chance in a race like that, but he perhaps has been disappointing this time in,'' Williamson said.
''I'm hoping he's just been a bit short of runs. He's improved steadily, and his last start, although I was very disappointed, he had a very good blow after it.
''I've been hard on him since. I actually took him to the trials [on Wednesday], and he won pretty impressively.''
Major Deed paced the 2400m at the Ascot Park trials in 3.04.5, cutting out the last 400m in 28.3, beating home the speedy trotter Jaccka Justy by 2 lengths.
Williamson is pleased to have a runner he trains in the group 2 event, and while the John Hay-trained Eric Clapton and the Robert Dunn-trained Elios will carry the weight of punters' money, Williamson is sweating on a soft run and Major Deed popping up into a place from his barrier draw of 1.
The performances of Nickelson are in stark contrast to Major Deed's efforts in this campaign, and Williamson could not be happier with how the 5yr-old Sundon gelding has progressed this season.
''He's just kept improving, and everything's ticking along well with him. We're rapt with him,'' Williamson said.
Nickelson was outside the leader for the last 1000m at Forbury Park on April 11 before trotting away to win easily.
''I was confident he would be able to put in a performance like that at Forbury Park,'' he said.
''When he went up to challenge on the bend, he skipped away and he was quite impressive.
''He's just grown in confidence and his last four starts have been beaut runs. He's pretty versatile - he's got a pretty good turn of foot, and he's pretty tough, too.
Nickelson is sitting at 10th position in the 5yr-old trotters' category for the Harness Jewels, and barring any slip-ups, Williamson sees no reason why the gelding should not take his place at Ashburton in June - although he is willing to wait to see how his next few runs pan out.
''The way he's going, he's a realistic chance of making [the Jewels],'' he said.
''I'm sure if he made it, he'd be entitled to run.''
Williamson will be taking shortcuts on the Tony Barron-trained Christy Breanna in the group 2 Southland Oaks, especially with her poor draw of 2 on the second line.
''If she's running on at the finish, I'm sure Tony will rapt.''
