Nicconi Filly Stars at Canterbury

Champion trainer Gai Waterhouse combined with Star Thoroughbreds to produce an eye-catching winner at Canterbury on Wednesday when two year-old Nicconi filly Festivity dashed clear to win as she pleased.

Unplaced at her only previous run back in the spring when she was slowly away in the Listed ATC Gimcrack Stakes, Festivity showed her class when stalking the pace before accelerating sharply to win the 1250 metre juvenile maiden by two lengths.

“She’s a very exciting filly by Nicconi,” said Gai Waterhouse.

“She’s been nominated a few times but kept getting balloted out. She looked a picture in the yard and has a very bright future.”

Waterhouse indicated a Brisbane campaign would be on the cards for Festivity, who may have another run here in Sydney in Saturday grade before heading north.

Bred and offered for sale by Newhaven Park, Festivity was a $55,000 Magic Millions purchase for Star Thoroughbreds and is the second winner for metro winning Canny Lad mare Merrier, a grand-daughter of Group I winner Scomeld.

Festivity is the fifth winner for dual Group I winning sprinter Nicconi, who has had three Australian winners as well as one apiece in New Zealand and Korea.

Nicconi stands at a fee of $13,200 this spring.