What a finish to the three year-old colts and geldings maiden at Sandown with three very promising horses hitting the line locked together and the win grabbed late by Nicconi colt The Deputy.
The Deputy pokes through ion the inside between Yaki Ishi on the fence and Lottwon the outside - image Pat Scala / Racing Photos
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr, unraced The Deputy was well fancied in the market and hit the line hard for Ben Melham to charge home between runners and score a short half head win over newly gelded Maurice (Jpn) galloper Yaki Ishi with another first starter in Lottwon a close third.
Yaki Ishi was placed in the Group II VRC Sires Produce Stakes last season and Lottwon was one of the top lots at last year’s Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale when selling to Trilogy Racing for $320,000 so the form from the race may prove strong.
The Deputy had impressed Ben Melham at home, but he was not confident the colt would show to advantage on the soft ground.
“He’s a nice horse and I’ve tried him a few times, but he has struggled on heavy ground, so I was keen to see him here on a bit better surface as he’s given me the feel of a nice horse with a bit of class,” said Melham.
“He’s still very raw, but he’s got a nice future I think.”
The Deputy was a $260,000 Magic Millions purchase, highest priced Nicconi sold in 2021.
A $260,000 Magic Millions purchase for Mick Price Racing from the Newhaven Park draft, The Deputy combines the blood of two Widden Stud sires being by Nicconi from metropolitan winning Sebring mare Enchanting Beauty, a sister to Group I placed Group III winner Scratchy Bottom.
The Deputy was the most expensive yearling sired by Nicconi in 2021 and comes from a quality female family that has produced Group I winners Zabrasive and Cheeky Choice as well as last season’s Champion Australian 3YO Filly Gypsy Goddess.
Nicconi’s champion son and Australian Horse of the Year, Nature Strip is set to resume this Saturday in the Group II ATC The Shorts (1100m) as he looks to defend his Everest crown next month.
Nicconi stands at Widden Stud Victoria this spring at a fee of $22,000.
