Tregea's Niccanova Ready for TAB Stradbroke Handicap

Thursday, 4 June 2020

Toowoomba-based breeder-owner-trainer Steve Tregea is hoping for a high with Niccanova in the Group 1 TAB Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The Niccanova story goes back over 20 years when Tregea bought the third dam Tarasova, in foal to Danehill, from Swettenham Stud for $475,000.

“Tarasova was a well bred Sir Tristram mare. I borrowed the money to buy her and it was a big risk,’’ Tregea said.

“The Danehill foal was a filly called Danaria. One of her foals was Dananova, the mother of Niccanova.’’

Niccanova has been a good performer from the start of his racing career. He won four his first five starts and now has an excellent strike rate of nine wins and eight placings from 25 starts.

Importantly Niccanova has won two and been placed twice from six starts at Eagle Farm and is a winner at the track and distance. His final lead-up gained him some Stradbroke admirers when he finished strongly for second in the Victory Stakes a fortnight ago.

That was his first run since January 25 but his record second up is outstanding and going from 1200 metres to 1400 metres looks ideal.

Rider Jimmy Orman has ridden Niccanova 16 times for five wins and some unlucky placings. He faces a big question from the jump – whether to press forward from a tricky gate or ride conservatively.

Tregea will add another unique chapter in Stradbroke history if he becomes the first person to brew, race and train a winner of the big sprint.