Summer Stakes Prospects for Nicconi

Nicconi had four winners in Australia and Hong Kong on Saturday with speedy three year-old filly Scorched Earth saluting at Flemington, while The Bopper put his best foot forward at Randwick.

Winner of the Inglis Scone Challenge at two and the Listed Sir Brian Crowley Stakes at three, Kris Lees trained The Bopper looks set for another fruitful campaign after scoring a stylish first up win in the Benchmark 78 event over 1000m carrying 60kg.

The Bopper missed the start for Hugh Bowman and found himself back in the field, but surged through the pack to win running away by more than a length.

“He does have class, he’s better than an off season horse,” said Hugh Bowman.

“When he missed the start I had to go to Plan B, but it was a really fitting return and Kris was very confident.”

Purchased by his trainer for $30,000 out of the Widden Stud draft at the 2019 Inglis Scone Yearling Sale, The Bopper has won four of eight starts earning over $330,000 in prizemoney.

He is the first foal of the winning Artie Schiller (USA) mare Chicago, who hails from the family of Black Opal Stakes winner Sarthemare, the dam of Group II winner Sesar and stakes-winner Doubt Defying .

Chicago has foaled this spring producing another colt by The Bopper’s sire Nicconi.

Winner of the Adelaide Magic millions 2YO Classic and the Listed Moonee Valley Pearl last season, quality filly Scorched Earth resumed from a spell to score a sparkling win at Flemington on Saturday over 1000m.

The John Moloney trained filly had three starts during the spring in Black Type races and although winless, was never beaten far and looks to be well placed in coming months as she is Magic Millions eligible and connections are planning a trip to the Gold Coast.

A $90,000 Magic Millions purchase for her trainer from the draft of Lyndhurst Stud, Scorched Earth has the tidy record of three wins and two placings from eight starts with prizemoney topping $350,000.

Bred and sold by the Kruger family’s Lyndhurst Stud Farm at Warwick, she is the best of three winners from unraced Exceed and Excel mare Scorched, a full sister to the Group III ATC Kindergarten Stakes winner Furnaces from the family of Group I winner Melito and exciting young sire Pariah.

Nicconi has 12 entries for Magic Millions and 14 for Inglis Classic.