Nicconi's Niccanova Toughs it Out in Bernborough Handicap

Mark Smith - Saturday December 28

Tough-as-teak Nicconi 6yo gelding Niccanova carried his top weight of 59kgs to an all the way win in Saturday’s Listed Bernborough Handicap (1600m) at Eagle Farm.

The Steve Tregea-trained gelding was there to be beaten when challenged by Looks Like Elvis inside the 200 metres, but he turned that back to win by a neck with a long neck to Cool Chap in third.

Jockey Jim Orman said it was not the plan to lead.

“I want to say sorry to Steve for giving him a heart attack in the run. I didn’t have much option, there was not much speed on paper and I was hoping to be fifth or sixth but I was going to be three-wide so I rolled forward,” Orman said.

“He’s tough this horse he just keeps on fighting.”

Niccanova advances his record to 9 wins, 3 seconds and 3 thirds from 23 starts with earnings of $689,175.

Tregea said his homebred son of Nicconi was the star of the stable.

“I didn’t expect him to lead today because Jimmy and I had a good talk about it and we were worried he was drawn wide in a race where there didn’t look to be much pace

“He just needs cover but when he was going to be caught three wide he did the right thing.

“I thought about taking the blinkers off him today but thought I wont change anything, I was to and from but it worked out well in the end.

“He’s been underrated because he has had a few injuries along the way, little bones chipped off his canon, he was upside down in the float one day, little things that have slowed him up.”

Bred and retained to race by Windemere Stud, Niccanova is the first foal of unraced Snippetson mare Dananova, who comes from the family of juvenile stakes-winner Ploverset and New Zealand Group I winner Southern Lord.

Dananova died in November 2017 shortly after foaling a filly by Whittington.

Nicconi has 11 entered for the Magic Millions, 18 at the Inglis Classic and 10 at the Inglis Premier.

 

Advertisment

Race Result - Magic Millions Bernborough Hcp LR 1600m

Eagle Farm Track: Good(3) Time: 1:35.78
1
Niccanova
- 6g Nicconi (AUS) x Dananova (AUS) (Snippetson (AUS))
Tnr: S P Tregea Rdr: James Orman 59
Nicconi
2
0.3
Looks Like Elvis
- 5g All American (AUS) x Savalook (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: B J Dais Rdr: B N Stewart 57
3
0.7
Cool Chap
- 7g High Chaparral (IRE) x Cherishing (USA) (Johannesburg (USA))
Tnr: R L Heathcote Rdr: J R Collett 54.5
4
1.0
Over Exposure
- 5g Rothesay (AUS) x Show A Princess (AUS) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: L Currie 54
5
1.2
Reckless Choice
- 5g Choisir (AUS) x Alacer (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Steven O'Dea Rdr: Boris Thornton 54
6
2.5
Spectroscope
- 7g Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Diamondrella (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE))
Tnr: Natalie McCall Rdr: Ron Stewart 57
7
2.6
Sambro
- 5g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Eau De Joie (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: G Boss 57.5
8
3.8
Silvera
- 6g High Chaparral (IRE) x Silver Tiara (AUS) (Ferocity (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Baylee Nothdurft 55.5
9
3.9
Doubt Defying
- 6g Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Sarthemare (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Kacy Fogden Rdr: A Mallyon 55.5
10
4.0
Master Zephyr
- 8g Shirocco (GER) x Missy Dancer (GB) (Shareef Dancer (USA))
Tnr: Tony Haydon Rdr: M R Du Plessis 54
11
4.3
Snitch
- 5g Lope De Vega (IRE) x Quaffle (AUS) (Hurricane Sky (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: M Mc Gillivray 54
12
7.3
Mewstone Rock
- 8m Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Star Of Gretchen (NZ) (Bahhare (USA))
Tnr: J G Symons & S Laxon Rdr: Ms S Thornton 54
13
15.3
Ruling Dynasty
- 8g Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Makarova (AUS) (Thunder Gulch (USA))
Tnr: R L Heathcote Rdr: Luke Tarrant 54
14
16.3
Le Juge
- 7g Dansili (GB) x Mambo Light (USA) (Kingmambo (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: R Fradd 56
More Reading...
Invincible Mares Quinella G3 Furphy Sprint
The first foal of triple Group I winning mare Shoals, blueblood I Am invincible mare Isthmus has been threatening to win a stakes race this year and got the job done when charging clear to score a dominant victory in the Group III VRC Furphy Sprint (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday over another I Am Invincible mare in Kundalini.
Sires With Winners - Saturday November 2
Here is the full list of 137 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Switzerland Brother an Inglis Easter Highlight for 2025
An “arrogant’’, “dominant’’ and “awesome’’ victory solidified Easter Sale superstar Switzerland’s future at stud when he produced a devastating performance to win the stallion making G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington today.
Unbeaten Nicconi 3YO Impresses
The Tony Pike-trained Not Ideal indicated he has a promising future ahead of him after he maintained his winning ways at Tauranga.
Third G1 Win for Star Savabeel Mare Atishu
A year after flying home for second behind Pride Of Jenni in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), Go Racing’s pin-up girl Atishu(NZ) (Savabeel) returned to Flemington on Saturday and went one better for the Kiwi syndicators.
Everest Slot for Nature Strip
Nicconi's star sprinter Nature Strip has gained a slot for the $14million Everest with James Harron Bloodstock declaring him as their runner.
Nicconi's Nature Strip Too Slick in Moir Stakes
Short-course specialist Nature Strip was on his best behaviour in Friday night’s $1,000,000 Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m).
Back to Back Victoria Derby Winners for Triple Crown Hero American Pharoah
The Watson family owned South Australian nursery Mill Park is a name synonymous with serious Group I horses and in particular those bred by astute breeder Harry Perks and this winning association struck for a third time in the $2million Group I VRC Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday when Goldrush Guru saluted to join previous winners they have produced in Rebel Raider and Warning.
Another Nicconi Stakes-Winner
Winner of the Group III BRC Fred Best Classic at three, talented six year-old Nicconi gelding Niccanova recaptured top form when winning the Listed BRC Brisbane Stakes at Doomben on Saturday.
2024 Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw
The all important barrier draw for the world’s richest handicap, the $8.5million Group I VRC Melbourne Cup (3200m) has been held for a field which contains horses bred in seven countries and trained in four.