FLEM JAN 30 - NICCONI EYES OVERSEAS SPRINTS

By Scott Gooley | Monday, February 1, 2010

Flemington, January 30, 2010.
Track - Good 3. Rail - True.
Coolmore Lightning Stakes (Group 1) - 1000m. Time: 57.12 (Carrying 58.5kg).
1 Nicconi; 2 Wanted; 3 Shellscrape.

Nicconi scored his second Group 1 victory and kept his impeccable fresh record intact by claiming the Coolmore Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday.

The four year old son of Bianconi was having his first start since an uncharacteristic performance in the Patinack Farm Stakes of November last year, where he finished last.

Ridden by Damien Oliver, Nicconi ($5.00) jumped from the outside gate in the field of eleven runners and was allowed to settle second last, six lengths off the pace in the early stages.

At the 300m mark, the then leader Burdekin Blues was under pressure as the well-fancied three year olds Starspanglebanner ($3.90 fav), Shellscrape ($9.00) and Wanted ($9.00) all began to stake their claim.

Stalking them in turn was Nicconi who had now moved to within striking distance of the leaders. In a classic “Flemington ride”, Oliver extracted the David Hayes trained galloper to the outside of the field and, at the clock tower, began to launch his run.

Reminiscent of his finishing burst in the Group 1 Galaxy, Nicconi over-hauled his younger rivals with a devastating final 200m to score by a long head over Wanted, with Shellscrape holding Starspanglebanner out for third.

“I switched him off early.” stated Oliver.

“I commented to David (Hayes) that this race is often won by the big finisher - the last one to go. It’s nice when a plan comes off.”

Oliver should know. He has now won the Lightning Stakes on five occasions.

It was Nicconi’s sixth win from his thirteenth career starts and he may well now follow in the footsteps of fellow Lightning Stakes winners such as Scenic Shot, Takeover Target and Miss Andretti and target some major sprint races overseas.

“Definitely, I think it was as good a Lightning as the last three or four years. It’s a proven path in,” confirmed Hayes when quizzed on the possibility of an overseas campaign for Nicconi.

Oliver concurred: “I think he’d be an ideal King’s Stand Stakes horse for sure.”

The more immediate plans for Nicconi are yet to be finalised, but Hayes is leaning toward a start in the William Reid Stakes.

“We’re looking at the William Reid at the Valley. He’s pretty good at the Valley. It will either be the William Reid or the Newmarket.” Hayes said.

A start in the William Reid would see Nicconi meet with Peter Moody’s unbeaten filly, Black Caviar who also has the race on her agenda.

Nicconi’s win was the highlight on a successful day for Hayes as former international galloper, Our Aqaleem, who was having his first start since July of 2007, also secured victory in the Henry Bucks Best Dressed Handicap (1600m) earlier in the day.

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Nicconi): 4.40 out to 5.00.
Favourite (Starspangledbanner): 3.50 out to 3.90. Finished fourth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
On jumping away, Burdekin Blues shifted in and made contact with Duporth. Honest Truth (NZ) and Wanted both jumped away awkwardly. Headway made contact with the side of its barrier on jumping away. Near the 500m, Starspangledbanner had to be restrained off the heels of Burdekin Blues, then shifted out and inconvenienced Shellscrape.

A veterinary examination of Cannonball (USA) revealed no abnormalities. A veterinary examination of Burdekin Blues revealed no abnormalities. A veterinary examination of Governance revealed no abnormalities