The Steve Tregea trained Niccanova might be eight years old, but he was also eight years old when he ran a succession of feature Listed race places over the summer … finishing fourth in the Keith Noud, third in the Tatts Recognition, second in the Brisbane Handicap and then fourth in both the Bernborough and The Buffering (when just 2.50 lengths behind Kementari at level weights).
Those runs came over distances ranging from 1200m to 1600m on good, soft and heavy going underlining the fact that, even when he appears up against it, Niccanova’s versatility can be relied upon to allow him to give of his best in varying situations.
As such, he will always deserve every respect.
And make no mistake … Niccanova is up against it in the Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday where he will face eleven formidable rivals.
These include Rothfire, who is well fancied to resurrect what looked likely to be a stellar career before his unfortunate injury, Vega One last year’s Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup winner, who similarly is on the comeback trail following a serious set-back, Wild Planet, who ran second to Eduardo in last year’s Doomben 10,000 and Startantes, who was only touched off by a lip in the Group 1 Surround Stakes in her last start … just to mention a few.
So Niccanova does have plenty of work to do, particularly from the worst of the draw, but, apart from his commitment, he does have two positives in play … namely that he has three wins to his credit at Eagle Farm … a track which clearly does not suit certain runners … and he comes into the race after a four month break with a first-up record of four wins from nine starts.
Anthony Allen, who has had a successful association with Tregea, has the ride.
Niccanova is currently on the last line of betting at $31 … odds which, it can be argued, accurately reflect his chance of saluting in such a competitive Victory Stakes line-up … but, at least you should be able to rely on him to give of his best and that could possibly be good enough for him to feature in the trifecta or first four.
That’s not guaranteed, of course, but if you are looking for something that represents genuine value and are willing to chance your arm … Niccanova could be one.
