STEVE Tregea is hoping he’s wrong as he adopts a conservative approach to Niccanova’s summer chances ahead of his return in Saturday’s George Moore Stakes at Doomben.
Niccanova was tagged as one of Queensland’s most promising horses when he won the Group 3 Fred Best Classic at Eagle Farm before running third in the Queensland Guineas during the Winter Carnival.
Tregea hosed down his chances of resuming a winner in Saturday’s Group 3 feature.
“I think it’s a tall order for the horse,” he said.
“He raced well in all those carnival races, but it was three-year-old.
“He’s a horse that handles affected going so he got through Eagle Farm when a lot of others didn’t.
‘‘Then he went back and raced well in the Guineas for sure, but (lesser performed stablemate) Rhyming was only two lengths behind him.
“It’s a lot different going to Open company against those really good horses and I think people forget that.
‘‘They get carried away with the hype on a horse. But I hope I’m wrong.”
Niccanova has had two jumpouts this time where he hasn’t been asked to fully extend.
Tregea said the horse had changed very little since he last raced in June.
“He’s pretty much the same racing weight he was and I’m surprised and a bit disappointed,” he said.
“That’s the way he is obviously. He’s going well enough. We’ve tried to keep him fresh, but keep him fit enough.’’
Tregea also has some concerns as to whether Niccanova’s rating of 90 will be enough to get him into the George Moore field.
If he misses out, he will run in a Benchmark 85 race, where he will use a 3kg apprentice to offset the gelding’s weight to 58.5kg.
Niccanova could try to make his way into the Magic Millions race day by earning a wildcard in the Buffering Quality next month.
MONDAY MAIL WITH NATHAN EXELBY
THE TALKING POINT
Black Heart Bart’s brave Railway effort. After looking a spent force in his final couple of spring runs, he looks poised to add to his Group 1 tally in the Kingston Town Stakes next time out.
RIDE OF THE DAY
Jamie Kah, Kirona, Morphettville, Race 7: One of five for the day for Kah, who has attracted widespread praise for her silky skills in recent weeks.
THREE TO BACK
Perilous Love, Doomben, Race 2: Ready to make her presence felt in the middle distance races now. Tidy finishing effort here.
Mehmeto, Doomben, Race 3: Still doesn’t know what it’s all about and tended to float when he looked the winner at the top of the straight. Might want a gear change to really switch him on.
Boom Boom Epic, Doomben, Race 4: Was entitled to drop out but kept finding the line. Rider feels she will be better over further where she can travel comfortably in front, while stable have long term Oaks ambitions.
THREE TO SACK
In Times Of War, Rosehill, Race 8: Consistently in the market, but rarely wins.
Denmagic, Doomben, Race 7: Was well graded in this race but she went back and failed to get into the race at any stage.
Nilette, Doomben, Race 3: Found strong support in the market place again. Ran well — as she does — but is proving costly now.
MARKETS
Winterbottom Stakes
$ 2.90 State Solicitor
$ 3.30 Viddora
$ 5 Rock Magic
$ 5.50 Santa Ana Lane
$ 12 Fuhryk
$ 17 Variation, Takedown, Ocean Jewel
$ 19+ Others
THIS WEEK
Tomorrow: Rockhampton, Ballarat, Port Macquarie
Wednesday: Gold Coast, Wyong, Sandown Hillside, Gawler, Northam, Launceston
Thursday: Mackay, Scone, Warrnambool, Bunbury
Friday: Ipswich, Canterbury (N), Moonee Valley (N), Canberra, Mudgee, Sale, Mount Gambier, Albany
Saturday: Doomben, Rosehill, Sandown Hillside, Morphettville (Parks), Ascot, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Kilcoy, Kembla Grange, Benalla, Alice Springs
Sunday: Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Grafton, Geelong, Murray Bridge, Geraldton, Nanango
UBET SATURDAY DOOMBEN WRAP
Best Backed: Race 8, Crack Me Up (WON) — 40% of Fixed Price book, $ 2.75-$ 3.10-$ 2.85
Most Popular: Race 2, Don’t Doubt Da Wife (2nd) — 4100 bets, $ 2.40-$ 2.70-$ 2.60.
Worst Result: Race 1, Blue Book — six figure loss.
Hard To Lay: Race 4, Zafonic Dancer (unplaced) – $ 4.80-$ 8.50; Race 7 Notonyourlife (WON), $ 13-$ 35
Early Bird Special: Race 8, Crack Me Up — $ 3.60 Wednesday, Started $ 2.90.
THE QUOTE
“Don’t go too far away.”
Chief stipe Allan Reardon to connections of Khalama and High Cost as they left the room before deliberations began on the protest. Stewards took less than 60 seconds to ask everyone back in and give their dismissed verdict.
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