Trainer David Hayes has been searching for a topline sprinter since his return from Hong Kong four years ago and on Saturday at Randwick he found what he was looking for when Nicconi streeted his rivals in the Group One The Galaxy.The win in the 1100-metre feature also capped off a great day for jockey Craig Williams who celebrated a winning treble after successes on Walking Or Dancing in the opening race of the day and Ortensia in the Listed PJ Bell Handicap.Hayes admitted he made a mistake try
Trainer David Hayes has been searching for a topline sprinter since his return from Hong Kong four years ago and on Saturday at Randwick he found what he was looking for when Nicconi streeted his rivals in the Group One The Galaxy.
The win in the 1100-metre feature also capped off a great day for jockey Craig Williams who celebrated a winning treble after successes on Walking Or Dancing in the opening race of the day and Ortensia in the Listed PJ Bell Handicap.
Hayes admitted he made a mistake trying to turn the colt into a miler after Nicconi's fourth in the Australian Guineas (1600m) last month.
"When he loomed up in the mile and didn't quite run it out I thought I'd messed up and on reflection we could have won the Newmarket with him," Hayes said.
"Our stable hasn't had a good sprinter since I returned from Hong Kong, and not through a lack of trying either, and today this horse showed that he is the sprinter I've been looking for and it's very exciting."
Hayes said Nicconi, a three-quarter brother to this year's Australian Cup (2000m) winner Niconero, would be nominated for Saturday's Group One TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) but couldn't confirm the colt's place in the race.
"I've got so many things going on in my head at the moment but he will certainly be entered and we'll sit down and have a little think during the week," Hayes said.
"You didn't want to be on another horse at the 600 metres and Craig just timed the run beautifully."
Williams was confident Nicconi would win The Galaxy shortly after the Australian Guineas run.
"David told me to make sure I spoke to him before booking a ride for the race because Nicconi was going great and he would be flying in the autumn - he was right," Williams said.
"It's been such a great day and I've had a lot of luck getting some great rides and thanks to everybody who made that happen."
Williams had Nicconi in 11th spot near the 400 metres before he came with a big run and defeated Danleigh by 1-1/4 lengths with leader Gold Trail holding on for a gallant third a neck away.
Trainer Chris Waller said Danleigh would most likely run in the TJ Smith Stakes.