World awaits Nicconi after Lightning win

Saturday, 30 January, 2010

Nicconi, ridden by Damien Oliver unleashes a late burst of speed to win the 2010 Lightning Stakes

A devastating burst of speed has delivered Nicconi a ticket to travel the world after winning the opening leg of the 2010 Global Sprint Challenge at Flemington on Saturday afternoon.

The David Hayes-trained four-year-old maintained his unbeaten record over 1000-metres with a barnstorming win in the $500,000 Coolmore Lightning Stakes (Group 1).

He claimed victory from three-year-old colt Wanted in the shadows of the post, with Shellscrape edging out race favourite Starspangledbanner in a photo for third. The winner's time was 57.19sec.

Nicconi, a half-brother to last season's Darley Australian Cup winner Niconero, was immediately issued with an invitation to compete at the famous Royal Ascot carnival in the UK.

His primary target will be the second leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes (1000m) on 15 June, which has proven a happy hunting ground for Australian sprinters.

Aussie greats Choisir (2003), Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007) and Scenic Blast (2009) have all completed the Lightning – King's Stand double in recent years.

Hayes was emphatic when asked whether Nicconi would now look to emulate their deeds.

“Definitely. It was as good a Lightning as the last three of four years and it's a proven path,” he said.

“I really have said for a while that he's the best sprinter I've trained. He's undefeated fresh and he put his best foot forward today.

“He's Niconero's brother, there's five black type winners in the first dam, so he's a blueblood who can run and there's not many of those colts in Australia.

“I'm really excited about what lays ahead.”

Hayes said Nicconi, who has now won six of 13 and a tick under $1 million in stakes, will make one more appearance over the Melbourne Festival of Racing before tackling the world.

“There'll be one more run in Melbourne, whether it's the William Reid or the Newmarket, before we head overseas,” he explained.

The $500,000 Pulse Pharmacy William Reid Stakes (1200m, Group 1) will be run at Moonee Valley on 13 February, whilst the $1 million Newmarket Handicap (1200m, Group 1) is at Flemington on 6 March.

Winning jockey Damien Oliver, who celebrated his fifth victory in the Lightning, said a pre-race plan to come with one late burst proved crucial.

“I commented to David that this race is often won by the horse with the big finish, the last one to go, and it's nice when a plan comes off,” he said.

“The way he can reel off a good sectional, he feels like he's up there with the best of them. Kept fresh and over that short course, he's got a great turn of foot,” he added.

High profile USA sprinter Cannonball, the first North American-trained horse to compete in Australia, sat in the second half of the field, but lacked the dash of his rivals over the concluding stages and finished ninth, 4.6 lengths behind Nicconi.

RESULT - 2010 COOLMORE LIGHTNING STAKES- G1

1000 m / 5f

1st LEG GLOBAL SPRINT CHALLENGE

TRACK: Good              

WORLD AWAITS LIGHTNING WINNER

Thursday, 28 January, 2010

A ticket to travel the world awaits the winner of the $500,000 Coolmore Lightning Stakes which heralds the start of the 2010 Global Sprint Challenge this Saturday at Flemington.

Victory in the 1000-metre dash will see the winner invited to compete in the remaining legs of the world’s richest sprint race series in the United Kingdom, Japan and Hong Kong.

The carrot of competing on the world stage is further enhanced by a $US1 million bonus for the connections of any horse that can win Challenge races in three different countries.

International star Cannonball, the first USA-trained horse to compete in Australia, has been joined by 12 local sprinters in the Group 1 sprint following acceptances today.

Headlining the Australian contingent is Queensland speedster Burdekin Blues, Nicconi and the Group 1-winning three-year-olds Starspangledbanner, Irish Lights and Headway.They’re hoping to following in the hoof prints of Choisir, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti and Scenic Blast who all won the Lightning before embarking on successful international raids.

The Barry Baldwin-trained Burdekin Blues is TAB Fixed Odds’ $4 favourite after drawing 10 and jockey Shane Scriven is confident the horse will run well after a recent setback.

“He’s up against the big boys on Saturday, but he’s there to prove himself,” Scriven said. “They’re a good crop of three-year-olds, at weight for age they get a good pull in the weights.......but its 1000 metres and they’d want to be at their best.”

Scriven said the barrier means tactics will play a key part in the outcome of the race, but irrespective of where the field heads up the straight track he’ll be in the thick of the action.

“I probably would have liked to have drawn in the middle,” he said. “It will depend on whether they’re going one way or another or if we’re staying in the middle, so we’ll play that by ear. If he’s not in front though he won’t be far away.”

Brilliant three-year-old colt Starspangledbanner, who’s first up since winning the Group 1 The Age Caulfield Guineas (1600m) last October, is the $5 second elect from gate five.

The David Hayes-trained pair Nicconi (gate 13) and Irish Lights (2) sit on the next line of betting at $6 and $7 respectively, with last start Group 1 winner Headway (11), one of three Peter Moody-trained runners, rated an $8 chance.

“She’ll be in the second half of the field, but all we need is some speed on so touchwood we get that,” jockey Luke Nolen said of Headway’s chances. “I would have been happy to ride any one of the three, but Pete made the choice for me and I’m more than happy to stick with this filly,” he added.

Cannonball, who contested legs of the Global Sprint Challenge in the UK and Hong Kong last year, came up with barrier seven and is surprisingly rated at the long odds of $26. “I’m OK with the barrier. You take what you get and it’s probably not the worst thing in the world,” assistant trainer Declan Murphy said. “We’ll follow the competition and see which side they want to race.”

“He’s settled in beautifully and he’s a very good horse. We haven’t been able to see his best potential as yet.” The Coolmore Lightning Stakes spearheads the opening meeting of the Melbourne Festival of Racing which runs from 30 January to 14 March and takes in 42 Group and Listed races.

The Lightning Stakes will be run at 4.10pm (AEDT) Saturday and will feature as leg four of the TAB’s BIG6 mega jackpot which will offer punters an expected pool of $2 million.

2010 COOLMORE LIGHTNING STAKES 1000m (5f)

Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia

FIRST LEG 2010 GLOBAL SPRINT CHALLENGE

Saturday 30th January, 2010

4.10pm (AEST) 5.10am (UK) 2.10pm (JPN) 1.10pm (HK)

For more detailed form click here

2010 GLOBAL SPRINT CHALLENGE LAUNCHED

Thursday, 28 January, 2010

USA Sprinter Cannonball takes in his surroundings at the launch of the 2010 Global Sprint Challenge

The world’s richest sprint race series, the 2010 Global Sprint Challenge, was launched at Flemington Racecourse today ahead of the opening leg of the series, the $500,000 Group 1 Coolmore Lightning Stakes, which will be contested at Flemington on Saturday.

The international significance of the series was highlighted with a special appearance by star USA sprinter Cannonball, in Melbourne for the 1000-metre dash down the famous Flemington straight, before taking on the rest of the world in other legs of the Global Sprint Challenge.

The Wesley Ward-trained speedster will become the first USA-trained and owned horse to compete in Australia when he lines up in the Lightning Stakes.

Cannonball has been sent to Australia in a determined bid to break the dominance of Australian-trained sprinters in the Global Sprint Challenge and score the $US1 million bonus on offer for any horse that can win Group 1 Challenge races in three different countries.

The Global Sprint Challenge holds a special place for Australians with the Lightning Stakes providing a launching pad for local sprinters to compete on the world stage.Three of the past four Lightning Stakes winners – Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007) and Scenic Blast (2009) – have gone on to win the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in the UK. The great Choisir also completed the double in 2003, blazing the trail for Aussie sprinters on the world stage.

“In its six year history, the Global Sprint Challenge has not only enhanced the earning potential and value of sprinters, it has delivered an unforgettable experience for competing owners, trainers and jockeys from around the world,” Racing Victoria Ltd (RVL) Chief Executive, Rob Hines, said.

“The thrill of racing a thoroughbred is one enjoyed worldwide, but the dream of competing on the world stage is a reality for a fortunate few.

15 ready to strike in the Lightning

USA Trained Cannonball will be contesting the first leg of the 2010 Global Sprint Challenge, the Group One Coolmore Lightning Stakes

Star USA sprinter Cannonball headlines the nominations for the $A500,000 Coolmore Lightning Stakes (1000m) which kick starts the 2010 Melbourne Festival of Racing this Saturday, 30 January at Flemington.

A total of 15 horses have been entered for the Group 1 sprint which also doubles as the opening leg of the 2010 Global Sprint Challenge – a $US8 million series which takes in races in Australia, United Kingdom, Japan and Hong Kong.

Featured amongst the nominations, which closed with Racing Victoria Ltd (RVL) today, are eight three-year-olds including last start Group 1 winners Starspangledbanner (The Age Caulfield Guineas) and Headway (Coolmore Stud Stakes).

Other high profile entries are the David Hayes-trained Nicconi, who’s unbeaten in three 1000-metre starts; Queensland speedster Burdekin Blues who’s shooting for five straight wins; and the brilliant Lucky Secret who’s won six of eight starts over the sprint strip.

Victoria’s premier trainer Peter Moody and Sydney mentor Anthony Cummings share the honour for the most entries with three apiece. Moody has Headway, Wanted and Duporth nominated, whilst Cummings has Sister Madly, Seeking Attention and Five Car Stud.

Hayes is the other trainer with multiple entries with the Coolmore-owned three-year-old filly Irish Lights, a winner of the Group 1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas, joining Nicconi.

The Wesley Ward-trained Cannonball will become the first USA-trained horse to compete in Australia when he lines up in the 1000-metre dash.

He was one of seven Lightning Stakes entrants to contest jump-outs up the Flemington straight this morning and clocked the fastest last 400-metre split of 22.68 seconds.

Acceptances for the Lightning Stakes will be taken at 9am on Thursday, 28 January, with the field announced and barrier draw conducted as part of the Global Sprint Challenge launch to be held at Flemington from 9.30am that morning.