Lucky 13 for Bianconi

Nicconi became the thirteenth stakeswinner for his sire Bianconi when he won the Wellington Racing Club Stakes at Listed level this afternoon.

Slowly away, Nicconi was allowed to find his balance by jockey Brad Rawiller before launching a strong finishing burst in the straight to win well.

Second was Handsupfordetroit with Miss Scarlatti third.

Rawiller had an explanation for his tardy start.

Nicconi "The first step out of the gates wasn't the greatest because he just played up a bit", he said.

"If I tried to push we were just going to end up in a bad position."

With Nicconi making the jump from a sparkling win over 1000m first up at Moonee Valley, connections were keen to see him learn to take a sit, so today's race proved a perfect educational opportunity.

"For us it was perfect because we were able to put him to sleep", Rawiller explained.

Nicconi "It was important from the 1000 to the 1400 that we had him racing correctly."

"I was always able to track up to the outside and not get held up."

Trainer David Hayes was a little more critical of today's run but conceded "we did win."

"He did a bit wrong", Hayes observed.

"He threw his head and he was a little bit fresh from the 1000 to the 1400."

Nicconi "What he's got is an amazing turn of foot and that gets them out of a lot of trouble and they win a lot of races."

Hayes is looking forward to tackling the $750,000 Group 1 Cadbury Guineas over 1600m at Flemington on the 7th of March. In between he will likely run in the $175,000 Group 2 Autumn Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield on Blue Diamond Stakes day - the 21st of February.

So also is Rawiller.

"He's showed up in a quality field so he's stepped up again and I can't wait until he gets to Group 1 status."

Nicconi Nicconi joins his half brother Niconero as the second stakes winner produced by his dam Nicola Lass. She has also had stakes placed Recooperate and Holly Go Lightlyamong her 4 progeny to race, meaning that all her foals are stakes horses.

He is the thirteenth stakes winner by Swettenham Stud's Bianconi, which has also sired Group 1 winner Above Deck and Group winners Schilling, Mr Martini and Leigh Valley.

Bianconi is a half-brother to Timber Country, sire of the winners of $78m incl. five times Group 1 winner Eremein $4m (AJC Derby, Queen Elizabeth S., STC BMW, Ranvet S. and Rosehill Guineas). Bianconi is also a three-quarter brother to Fort Wood winner of multiple Champion Sires Titles in South Africa.

Bianconi is by sire of sires Danzig, from USA broodmare of the Year, Fall Aspen, a Group 1 winning 2YO who has produced 9 stakes winners,including 4 Group 1 winners.