Widden
Stud's Nicconi has been in the news this week with his star son Nature Strip confirmed
for $13million The Everest after being given the slot held by the ATC in the
wake of his course record breaking win at Moonee Valley last Saturday and at Wednesday
it was onwards an upwards with another smart new three year-old winner for this
most popular of sires.
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Nicco Lad had been placed at each of his
three previous starts and scored a tenacious and deserved win at Canterbury in
the opening race on the card.
He raced up on the pace and despite being headed before the line, fought back
like a tiger to claim a short half head win in the 1250 metre maiden over promising
Fastnet Rock colt England, a $900,000 Inglis Easter purchase.
"He's got a good motor and has a bright future," said Paul Snowden.
"He's always been a bit immature and it's taken time for him to fill out, so we've
always thought more of him as an autumn horse."
Retained to race by his breeder, Nicco Lad is a half-brother to stakes-winner
Canny Ballad and is the fourth winner for unraced Canny Lad mare Briars Lass,
who produced another colt by Nicconi last spring.
Nicconi has covered 200 plus books of mares in his past two seasons and will cover similar this year at the increased fee of $24,750.