Smart Kiwi Winner for Nicconi

The Nigel Tiley stable went the extra mile to get Cherry Vain to Ellerslie on Wednesday and their efforts were rewarded when the daughter of Nicconi made a successful debut.

“To be honest she was borderline shin sore and that’s why she knocked up in the last 100 metres,” the Pukekohe trainer said.

“We all worked overtime to get her there – it’s not every day they get to run for $30,000.”

Cherry Vain had an awkward gate to overcome, but she showed good speed from the barrier to race handy for Leith Innes and held on for victory after hitting the front 150 metres from home.

“She is pretty smart and she showed us plenty at home,” Tiley said. “It was a huge effort from the draw. We’ll think about a late nomination for the (Manawatu) Sires’ Produce Stakes, but that will all depend on how she comes through the race.”

By the dual Australian Group One-winning sprinter Nicconi, Cherry Vain was secured by Tiley for long-time friend Andrew Grierson after the filly had passed in at Karaka as a yearling and again at the Ready to Run Sale last November.

“Half-way through the day Andrew asked me to buy him a filly and I hadn’t looked at any fillies,” Tiley said.

“I said there was no hurry and said we’ll see what gets passed in and sometime later I looked at the videos and she really took my eye.

“What I really liked about her was the double cross of Star Kingdom on her dam’s side. She also had plenty of muscle, not overly big and she looked like a runner.”

Cherry Vain is the second winner for Golden Lasso, a half-sister by Spectrum (IRE) to stakes-winner Bonegilla Tom and to the dam of Group II winner Star of Florida.

She is also the second winner for our promising young sire Nicconi.