Trainer David Hayes says the Group One Newmarket Handicap has increasing appeal for his star sprinter Nicconi.Hayes believes the Lightning Stakes winner can bounce back from the disappointment of his unplaced run in the Group William Reid Stakes (1200m) when he returns to straight racing at Flemington on Saturday.After Nicconi knocked a sesamoid when sixth in the William Reid, Hayes had intended to make his next run the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in England in June but an exciting track
Trainer David Hayes says the Group One Newmarket Handicap has increasing appeal for his star sprinter Nicconi.
Hayes believes the Lightning Stakes winner can bounce back from the disappointment of his unplaced run in the Group William Reid Stakes (1200m) when he returns to straight racing at Flemington on Saturday.
After Nicconi knocked a sesamoid when sixth in the William Reid, Hayes had intended to make his next run the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in England in June but an exciting track gallop at Lindsay Park last Thursday re-ignited the Newmarket flame.
"He worked exceptionally well last Thursday and plan is to run him now," Hayes said.
He said apart from the impressive track gallop he had also been swayed to change plans after noting Nicconi's handicap of 56kg in the $1 million sprint and the evenness of the sprinters in the Oakleigh Plate two weeks ago.
He is also unconvinced that Newmarket Handicap favourite All Silent ($4.50 with TAB Sportsbet) is going as well as last spring when he won the Group One Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington.
"I think he (Nicconi) is well weighted and in the Oakleigh Plate five horses went over the line with a whisker separating them," Hayes said.
Hayes has always rated Nicconi ($12) well ahead his stablemate Eagle Falls ($10) who finished fifth to Starspangledbanner in the Oakleigh Plate.
Eagle Falls will gallop up the straight alone at Flemington on Tuesday morning in preparation for the Newmarket.
Hayes will watch with interest how the Grahame Begg-trained All Silent ($4.50) competes in a jump out against Newmarket rivals, Turffontein ($26), Trusting ($17) and the Mick Price-trained Light Fantastic ($31).
Turffontein's stablemates Five Car Stud ($151) and Sister Madly ($41) from the Anthony Cummings yard are also engaged in a second jump out against the Price-trained Gran Sasso ($21) and Lightning Stakes placegetter Shellscrape ($31).
Hayes said All Silent, who hasn't raced this year, could turn his form around on the track when it came to race day but he looked risky on what he had showed recently.
"Grahame knows him better than me but I watched him trial (earlier this preparation) and I watched him work and, while I know he is a bad worker, I will take the chance to take him on (with Nicconi)," Hayes said.
Damien Oliver will again ride Nicconi.
Gai Waterhouse said Steven King would ride American sprinter Cannonball ($51) who will be having his first start for her in the Newmarket.
Cannonball hasn't raced since finishing ninth in the Lightning Stakes at his Australian debut.