Nicconi Filly Wins Darley 2YO Spring Preview

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday September 22

The first Australian two year -old race of the new season was run at Flemington on Wednesday with the $50,000 VRC Darley Spring Preview (900m) going to speedy Nicconi filly Cavalla.

Advertisement

Cavalla wins the first 2YO race of the season - image Pat Scala / Racing Photos

Trained by Mick Price and Mick Kent Jr, Cavalla jumped well from barrier one for Patrick Moloney, but was restrained to take a sit behind the leaders.

When angled into clear running at the business end of the race she found the front and held off a determined bid from the Godolphin entry Contemporary (2c Exceed and Excel x Memorial) to win by a head.



“Mildred won this race and then backed up to win the Maribyrnong Trial, so if Grahame Begg could do it, we might have a look at it,” said Mick Price.

“She’s a solid workmanlike two year-old filly that has not missed a beat and will train on.”

Mildred also won the Group III MRC Chairmans Stakes as an autumn two year-old, placed in the Group II ATC Reisling Stakes and contested the Golden Slipper.

The race was won last year by General Beau and he also backed up into the Maribyrnong Trial finishing second before coming back in the autumn to win both Blue Diamond Previews, so this early season scamper is proving a genuine guide to Black Type success in the future.

Cavalla was a $130,000 Magic Millions purchase for Mick Price Racing from the KBL Thoroughbreds draft and was bred by Bowcock Bloodstock.

She is the last foal from their good producing stakes-winner Bella Corona, who has left eight winners from eight runners headed by Bewhatyouwannabe.

Nicconi is a Premium stallion, click for more information.

Cavalla’s sire Nicconi stands at Widden Stud Victoria this spring at a fee of $27,500.


 

Advertisment

Race Result - Darley Spring Preview 900m

Flemington Track: Soft(5) Time: 0:52.91
1
Cavalla
- 2f Nicconi (AUS) x Bella Corona (AUS) (Beautiful Crown (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Patrick Moloney 56
2
0.2
Contemporary
- 2c Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Memorial (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: D Oliver 58
3
1.2
Nominator
- 2c Zoustar (AUS) x Designated Driver (NZ) (Danroad (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Craig Williams 58
4
2.2
Yakutsk
- 2f Capitalist (AUS) x Winter (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: Lloyd Kennewell Rdr: J Bowditch 56
5
4.4
Runaway Belle
- 2f Pariah (AUS) x Jessej (AUS) (Sepoy (AUS))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: Ben Allen 56
6
4.5
Little Strawberry
- 2f Street Boss (USA) x Songye (AUS) (Unencumbered (AUS))
Tnr: Clayton Douglas Rdr: Jye McNeil 56
7
8.3
Excel And Fly
- 2c Flying Artie (AUS) x Harpers (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: D W Stackhouse 58
8
20.3
Eltanin
- 2c Zoustar (AUS) x Starlike (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: C Newitt 58
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Trial action was at Randwick on Friday and there were six heats for juveniles that included some interesting unraced youngsters highlighted by the full brother to a promising young sire, a well bred son of Farnan and an Extreme Choice filly.
Do Early Winners Equate to Long Term Stud Success?
As we move towards the end of the racing season, attention invariably focuses on first season sires and who will be the leader of the cohort by winners and it’s a close run race this year, but does any of it matter in the grand scheme of things?
Red Right Out Wins MM Queensland Qualifier
The 2026 Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping will feature the third annual Queensland Off-The-Track Cup (QOTT) final on Sunday, 11 January 2026 at Doug Jennings Park on the Gold Coast. 
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 26
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale online now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
Sires With Winners - Friday June 27
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Cambridge Stud to Sell Entire Draft at Karaka 2026
Leading thoroughbred nursery Cambridge Stud have committed their full support for NZB’s 2026 National Yearling Sales Series, with the announcement they will be selling 100% of their yearling stock at Karaka. 
Coles Bows Out After 60 Years
Pukekohe’s Wednesday meeting marked the end of an era for Auckland Thoroughbred Racing, as Ross Coles, a treasured figure in the industry, retired after 60 years as Clerk of the Course.
$190,000 Per Incanto Colt Heads Vibrant Weanling Sale
The  2025 National Weanling Sale saw its first dual-code weanling session in play at Karaka, with a total aggregate of $2,410,000 outlaid across 84 lots by a strong domestic buying bench plus international support from Australia, Hong Kong and China.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 25
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.