Nicconi 2YO Impresses on Debut

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday May 13

David Hayes enjoyed plenty of success with former star dual Group I winning sprinter Nicconi, the now highly successful sire giving the Lindsay Park team an impressive juvenile debut winner at Sandown on Wednesday in Dark Horse.

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Dark Horse wins at Sandown - image Pat Scala / Racing Photos

Sent out favourite for the 1000 metre juvenile contest, Dark Horse jumoed from barrier one and travelled in behind the leaders on the fence before accelerating clear in the straight to win by a length.

“He’s always shown us nice ability and we thought he was a Blue Diamond horse, but he kept going shin sore,” said co-trainer Ben Hayes.

“Dad’s middle name is Nicconi! He loves him and this horse is a bit like him. It took a while for Nicconi to get to the races, he was a late maturer too.”



Dark Horse was retained to race by his breeders, who include David Hayes, and is a half-brother to Group II winner Churchill Dancer being the third winner from Dark Review, a half-sister by Second Empire (IRE) to stakes-winner Cohort.

Widden Stud’s Nicconi has a big crop of rising three year-olds, so expect them to make their presence felt in the season ahead.

Nicconi stands at a fee of $27,500 this spring.


 

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Race Result - Long Fine Plate 1000m

Sandown-Hillside Track: Soft(7) Time: 0:59.62
1
Dark Horse
- 2c Nicconi (AUS) x Dark Review (AUS) (Second Empire (IRE))
Tnr: D & B Hayes & T Dabernig Rdr: L Nolen 60
2
1.0
Miss Bank Place
- 2f Magnus (AUS) x Tottenham Girl (AUS) (Dash For Cash (AUS))
Tnr: R D Griffiths Rdr: Lewis German 54
3
2.5
Stumped
- 2g Reward For Effort (AUS) x Just Stunning (AUS) (Snippets (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: D Dunn 60
4
2.7
Amorosity
- 2f Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Yatala (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Henry Dwyer Rdr: Michael Poy 56
5
2.9
South Parade
- 2c Sacred Falls (NZ) x Celebrate (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: J D Sadler Rdr: Jamie Kah 60
6
9.9
King Of All Kings
- 2c Dark Thunder (NZ) x South African (AUS) (Johannesburg (USA))
Tnr: Timothy Grace Rdr: Harry Grace 57
7
10.4
Localchella
- 2f Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Coachella Valley (CAN) (Even The Score (USA))
Tnr: Levi Kavanagh Rdr: M J Dee 58
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