David Hayes is growing in confidence about winning his second Australian Guineas in three years after Nicconi posted a key lead-up win at Caulfield.The talented three-year-old made it three wins from four starts when he gave some major Guineas contenders a start and a beating in the Listed Wellington Racing Club Stakes (1400m) on Sunday.Nicconi over-raced in the early stages as Brad Rawiller tried to settle him back in the field but accelerated to come wide on the home turn to put himself within

David Hayes is growing in confidence about winning his second Australian Guineas in three years after Nicconi posted a key lead-up win at Caulfield.

The talented three-year-old made it three wins from four starts when he gave some major Guineas contenders a start and a beating in the Listed Wellington Racing Club Stakes (1400m) on Sunday.

Nicconi over-raced in the early stages as Brad Rawiller tried to settle him back in the field but accelerated to come wide on the home turn to put himself within striking distance of the leaders.

Rawiller waved his whip at the colt as he mounted his challenge and Nicconi drew away to win by a length from Sydney raider Handsupfordetroit and VRC Oaks runner up Miss Scarlatti.

Fravashi almost dislodged his rider Kerrin McEvoy at the start and finished a luckless fourth.

Hayes was bemused to see Nicconi back as far as he was but was impressed with the way the colt finished off.

"He has got an amazing turn of foot and horses like that get themselves out of a lot of trouble and they win a lot of races," Hayes said.

"I was a bit frustrated the way the race was turning out mid-race but I was very happy later."

Hayes, who won the 2007 Australian Guineas with Miss Finland, said Nicconi should settle better in the Group Two Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 21, two weeks before the Guineas at Flemington on March 7.

Hayes' only other Guineas contender is Eagle falls who has raced three times and is unbeaten this campaign after wins at Morphettville and Moonee Valley.

Irate punters gave McEvoy a noisy reception when he returned to scale on Fravashi who missed a place for the first time in six starts.

McEvoy said the colt slipped at the start and went down on his nose.

He said he lost an iron and had to ride the horse for luck in the straight where he got disappointed for a run.

Michael Rodd said Dr Doute's became a victim of the muddling pace.

"When the pace slackened he just charged," Rodd said.

"He is a very good horse but he just doesn't know it yet."