Niccanova booked himself another Stradbroke start when taking an inside run to land the Group 2 Victory Stakes.
The race carries ballot exempt status for the Stradbroke, where Niccanova can now try and atone for an unlucky third twelve months ago.
Jockey Jimmy Orman wasted hard to make the horse’s weight last year and is looking forward to having another shot, albeit acknowledging this year’s task will be harder given it’s most likely going to be a much stronger field.
“Hopefully we can finally win a Group 1 this year,” Orman said.
“He’s come back better this time I think. He’s going to need a lot of luck to win a Group 1 Stradbroke but if he can get that luck he’s going to be very hard to beat.”
Kelly Schweida and Larry Cassidy combined to land a maiden stakes victory for Miss Hipstar, who was one of the unlucky runners over this year’s Magic Millions carnival.
Miss Hipstar dug deep to win the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1000m) after being headed halfway up the running.
She will run next in the Spirit Of Boom Classic (Champagne Classic) in a fortnight at Doomben over 1200m.
