Unbeaten Nicconi 3YO Impresses

Media Release - Thursday January 2

The Tony Pike-trained Not Ideal indicated he has a promising future ahead of him after he maintained his winning ways at Tauranga.

Talented Nicconi 3YO Not Ideal goes two for two - Race ImagesThe Nicconi three-year-old made a successful debut over 1400m at Hastings last month with his trainer keen on testing him against the best of his age group in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.

When the strength of that field was revealed Pike took an easier option by tackling the older horses over 1600m in rating 65 company at Tauranga, a move which proved successful as he sat outside the speed throughout before drawing clear in the run home to make it two wins from two starts.

Rider Michael McNab, who was having his first ride on the horse, was suitably impressed with the effort.

“He’s shown good talent and is a lovely big horse with a bright future,” he said.

“He jumped well and put himself there and travelled well.

“He was looking around a fair bit in the last 200m, but he’s a good big-actioned horse who is still learning his craft.”

Pike stable representative Dean Williams was also pleased with the effort but believes the gelding still has a lot to learn,

Advertisement

“It pretty much worked out how we thought but he’s still a bit green,” he said.

“He was good through the line and it was good to get the job done.

“He’s not that dissimilar to Surely Sacred at this time of the year, a bit green and still working the game out, but definitely with a bright future.

“He’s handling the racing well and we definitely think he can get 2000m and then a touch further.”

Not Ideal is the third foal of Encosta De Lago mare, Champagne Crystal and hails from an extended family that includes Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner At Talaq. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Ste Industrial Electrical-Bm65 1600m

Tauranga Track: Good(3) Time: 1:37.92
1
Not Ideal
- 3g Nicconi (AUS) x Champagne Crystal (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: M J Mc Nab 58.5
2
0.3
In Fashion
- 3f Showcasing (GB) x Philippa Chelsea (NZ) (Viscount (AUS))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: R T Elliot 56
3
0.7
She's Fearless
- 4m Animal Kingdom (USA) x Dark Vision (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: S T Collett 58.5
4
3.0
Taree
- 4m Pins (AUS) x Blush (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Tarissa Mitchell Rdr: T Yanagida 54
5
4.3
Caribbean Rose
- 4m Tavistock (NZ) x Pride Of Tralee (NZ) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: O P Bosson 57.5
6
8.8
Cameahotfriday
- 7g Cecconi (AUS) x Arduous (NZ) (Mohamed Abdu (IRE))
Tnr: R R Manning Rdr: D S Johnson 58.5
7
18.1
Tappy's One
- 3g Proisir (AUS) x Tappy Lee (NZ) (One Cool Cat (USA))
Tnr: S J McKee Rdr: S C Spratt 56
8
19.3
Model Aye
- 7g Shocking (AUS) x Wheresmum (NZ) (D'Cash (AUS))
Tnr: J C Pender Rdr: C J Grylls 59
More Reading...
Another Nicconi Stakes-Winner
Winner of the Group III BRC Fred Best Classic at three, talented six year-old Nicconi gelding Niccanova recaptured top form when winning the Listed BRC Brisbane Stakes at Doomben on Saturday.
NZ Derby Hero Willydoit Primed for Epsom
Last season’s New Zealand Derby hero Willydoit will step back into the spotlight on Saturday when he contests the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick for trainer Ciaron Maher, with jockey Tommy Berry bullish the horse is ready to make his mark over the famous mile.
Milan Park Experience Highs and Lows
Tony Rider experienced the extreme highs and lows of breeding thoroughbreds within a matter of hours on Wednesday.
Blueblood Fillies From $3million Mares
Tom Magnier has been notable for his purchase of elite race fillies and broodmares in recent years to enhance the stellar Coolmore broodmare band and two of his $3million plus mare purchases have produced stunning fillies this spring.
New SW Wrote - Fast Network Wins G3 National Day Cup
Trainer Dennis Yip claimed a timely first win of the 2025/26 season, taking out the feature HK$4.2 million Gr.3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) at Sha Tin’s National Day fixture on Wednesday when his stable star Fast Network, a New Zealand bred son of Wrote, blitzed a strong field under Alexis Badel.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 2
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Melody Belle Daughter Set for Long Awaited Debut
It will be a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at The Valley on Friday night when Lyrics ‘N’ Song, a daughter of their former multiple Group One winner Melody Belle, makes her debut.
Hellbent Winner Impresses at Sha Tin
Astute trainer Mark Newnham paid $425,000 at the 2023 NZB Ready to Run Sale to secure a promising two year-old by Hellbent and Invincible Ibis delivered on that promise when scoring a last to first win at Sha Tin on Wednesday.
Nicconi's Nature Strip Too Slick in Moir Stakes
Short-course specialist Nature Strip was on his best behaviour in Friday night’s $1,000,000 Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m).
Nicconi's Niccanova Toughs it Out in Bernborough Handicap
Tough-as-teak Nicconi 6yo gelding Niccanova carried his top weight of 59kgs to an all the way win in Saturday’s Listed Bernborough Handicap (1600m) at Eagle Farm.