Exciting mare Nieta is set to resume at Randwick on Saturday week after an impressive trial win at Randwick on Monday.
Trainer John Thompson has Nieta primed to kick off her spring campaign at Randwick’s Tattersalls Club meeting in the G3 Concorde Stakes (1000m).
Nieta won Monday’s heat over 735 metres with Brenton Avdulla in the saddle for the first time, defeating the John Sargent-trained Colosseum King by one and three quarter lengths with the Canberra-trained Everest contender Fell Swoop finishing a soft third. Her winning time was a slick 42.7 seconds.
Another strong trial win by Nieta with #TheEverest contender Fell Swoop being cuddled in 3rd. Impressive by the @inglis_sales slot holder! pic.twitter.com/KloHyyVmH8
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 21, 2017
Nieta has won six of her 12 starts, adding to her reputation with sharp wins at her only two starts in the autumn.
Thompson elected to restrict Nieta’s autumn racing in the belief that she will rise to Group One level this spring.“John is keen to capitalise on the many spring black type, short distance options,” said Thompson’s racing manager Robyn Hartney.
“Brenton was extremely happy after the trial. She won easily doing it well within herself.”Hartney said plans for Nieta would be mapped out after the Concorde Stakes.
“John will make a decision whether to stay in Sydney for The Shorts or go to Melbourne where there are some nice short distance Group races available.”Leading Canberra trainer Matt Dale was delighted with Fell Swoop’s easy third behind Nieta.
“That will top him off nicely and he’ll be ready to run first up,’’ Dale said.‘’He has to clean up in the coat a bit which is understandable as we’ve had a very cold winter in Canberra but he’s well within himself and I’m happy with where his fitness is at.’’
Fell Swoop, placed in five G1 races without a win at the top level, has been chosen to represent Inglis in the $10 million Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 14.