First Trial Winner for Nicconi

Champion trainer David Hayes prepared explosive sprinter Nicconi to win over $1million in prizemoney highlighted by Group I victories in the VRC Lightning Stakes and AJC The Galaxy, so it’s no surprise he has a big opinion of his first crop of two year-olds.

Hayes had two of them nominated for the Cranbourne barrier trials on Monday, but elected to send them to Tatura this morning to trial in anticipation of wet weather expected at the weekend.

Two year-old filly Euchre Star won her trial easily with stablemate My Michelle running an encouraging third, albeit not handling the track.

“I’ve been really impressed with all the Nicconi’s we’ve had through the stables so far and they are showing good natural ability,” said David Hayes.

“Euchre Star has been doing everything right and My Michelle has been going just as well, but didn’t handle the surface quite as well as the other filly today.”

Euchre Star was a modest $18,000 Magic Millions purchase for Lindsay Park Racing from the Southern Cross Breeders draft and is from Last Tycoon (IRE) mare Gee Trump, while My Michelle is from Wickham and is a homebred for Peter Devitt and the Gordon family, who also bred and raced her sire Nicconi.

Nicconi has been listed by Sportingbet Australia as the favourite to be leading Australian First Season Sire by winners and has two youngsters nominated for the official two year-old trials in Sydney on Monday.