Summer of excellence

Toowoomba gelding shines on Queensland feature race stage.

Jockey Jimmy Orman and Toowoomba geldingNiccanova headed for victory in last month’s Bernborough Handicap at Eagle Farm. Picture: AAP Image/Albert Perez

RACING : He’s described by his trainer Steve Tregea as “Mr Unflappable” and after a summer of excellence, Niccanova has muscled his way to the top of the Queensland racing tree.

The six-year-old currently has his feet up in the spelling paddock after flying the Toowoomba flag in grand style during the Queensland Summer Carnival with dual feature victories.

Niccanova took his 24-start record to nine wins and seven placings with success last month in the Listed Brisbane and Bernborough Handicaps over 1600 metres.

He wound up his five-start campaign last Saturday with the gamest of seconds under 60kg from a wide gate behind Scallopini (54.5kg) in the Sunshine Coast Cup (1400m).

Niccanova has little else to prove to Tregea and his supporters but the challenge of a winter carnival tilt looms next for the Nicconi gelding.

“I think he’s the highest rated horse in Queensland at the moment at 106,” Tregea said yesterday.

“He’s been terrific over the summer when things have just fallen perfectly into place for him.

“He’s still only lightly raced, he’s remained sound and he’s furnished nicely.

“You don’t get too many like him and if he never won another race I couldn’t be unhappy.

“But if he comes back in next time the same as he went out, you’d think he’d be competitive in some of our winter races.”

Niccanova has proven a pin-up horse for punters.

Eight times he has started race favourite for five wins and two placings.

Tregea said the temptation of stepping Niccanova to 2000 metres and testing him in weight-for-age class are future possibilities.

“We’ve been keen to try him at 2000 metres, but have never really had the chance,” Tregea said.

“I reckon he’d get the trip okay.

“He is just unflappable. That’s his number one asset.

“He is so quiet and casual you probably wouldn’t give two bob for him on sight but he doesn’t mind a fight on race day.”