Former Hong Kong galloper Nicconi County saluted for the first time since arriving on Kiwi soil at Matamata on Saturday.
The son of Nicconi was bred in Australia and had one run in his homeland under the name of Silent Theory, finishing second in the Listed Without Fear Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville. He was then sold to Hong Kong, going on to win three races and HK$4.7 million in the care of Caspar Fownes.
A long-standing association between Fownes and Bob Vance brought Nicconi County to New Zealand, following in the footsteps of Group One winner Royal Performer and a number of other imports.
After a couple of runs to build fitness, Nicconi County showed his ability with a solid last-start fourth behind Miss Rockette, indicating he would be a key player in the Price Racing 1400 on Matamata’s feature day. In the hands of apprentice jockey Triston Moodley, Nicconi County bounced the gates well and found a handy position on the fence behind pacemaker Strange Love.
Strange Love showed a good kick on the corner but Nicconi County was right on her heels, ranging up to the leader at the 200m and finding the winning advantage to score by a long neck.
Vance, who trains in partnership with his wife Jenny at Ardmore Lodge, was pleased to see the gelding perform up to his Hong Kong credentials.
“It was the first time he’s actually had a decent draw, so I think that made a big difference,” he said.
“It took him a little while to adjust to life here being in a paddock, he put on a bit of condition and life was a bit too good for him. It’s taken him about four runs and he dropped down to 65 as well, but now that he’s fit, I think he can go on with it.
“He had a slight ligament injury but he seems to have gotten over that here, being in a paddock certainly has helped. That was the only problem he had, his form coming out of Hong Kong was good and he had a win and couple of seconds in his last few starts there.
“He’ll be up in 75 again now, so we’ll probably look for a 1400m in that grade. It’s interesting to note that he never raced past 1200m in Hong Kong, but the way he races, the 1400 seems to be a good distance for him.
“It’s great that he’s got another string to his bow and can get out to that distance.”
A former top jockey, Vance rode a number of winners in Hong Kong for Fownes’ father Lawrie, sparking a friendship spanning over three decades.
“I used to ride for Caspar’s father when I was up there, we’ve known each other for 30-40 years now,” Vance said. “I really only get them from him and he only really sends me the ones that are going to stand up to racing and have some petrol left in the tank.
“We’ve had a lot of horses from Hong Kong, including Royal Performer who won the Herbie Dyke (Gr.1, 2000m). Not all of them have been capable of winning here, but the majority of them can and have done well.”
Perfect Dividends, another horse the Vance’s received out of Hong Kong, continued his good form with a second placing behind Beast Of Burden in the Rich Hill Stud 1200.
