He might be best remembered for siring the world’s best sprinter Nature Strip, but Widden Stud’s stalwart sire Nicconi has more than that to offer and added a 30th stakes-winner to his tally at Caulfield on Saturday when Nicolini Vito won the Group III MRC Victoria Handicap (1400m).
Trained by the team at Lindsay Park and ridden by Luke Currie, Nicolini Vito as having his second run back from a spell and prevailed in a thriller to beat talented Zoustar mare Miss Aria by a head. He dived between runners late to snatch what seemed an unlikely victory.
"He's like a fine wine, he's getting better as he gets older," said Will Hayes.
"The key with him is that he is relaxing better in the early part of his races which is allowing him to hit the line strongly.
"I think he could go out in trip again."
Nicolini Vito is a homebred for the Devitt and Gordon families, who also bred and raced his sire Nicconi and the seven year-old has the overall record of nine wins and 12 placings from 42 starts with earnings topping $900,000.
Nicolini vito is a full brother to Group II placed Shokora and half -brother to Group II placed Muswellbrook being the best of six winner from eight foals to race from She’s Cherryrype, a winning More Than Ready (USA) daughter of stakes-winner Shovoff.
She’s Cherryrype produced another filly by Nicconi last spring before going to Blue Point (IRE).
