Bella Nipotina set for Black Caviar Lightning Stakes return
Ciaron Maher credits the variety of training establishments the stable can utilise in bringing out the best in Bella Nipotina who is on the cusp of starting another campaign.
Bella Nipotina is slated to run in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday, kick starting her tenth campaign.
The daughter of Pride Of Dubai started her career as a two-year-old with David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig before transferring to the care of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace for her three-year-old season.
Maher and Eustace travelled the mare extensively, racing her on the eastern seaboard of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne along with trips to Adelaide and Perth.
Rarely has Bella Nipotina disappointed Maher.
Maher said the rising seven-year-old has returned in outstanding order and completed her preparation for the Lightning Stakes by finishing second in a Cranbourne 800m trial last week.
Bella Nipotina spends the majority of her time down at Maher’s Fingal property on the Mornington Peninsula.
“She was trained at a farm when she was in Sydney when she beat the Joe Pride horses (Private Eye and Think About),” Maher said.
“She was trained on the beach up there and she trains down at Fingal, which is our beach place down here.
“She likes that softer environment.”
Bella Nipotina commenced her autumn campaign 12 months ago running third in the Lightning Stakes behind then stablemate Coolangatta and I Wish I Win.
She then went on to run second to Imperatriz in the William Reid Stakes and third in The Quokka over in Perth.
“She ran a slashing race last year and she’s just an honest mare,” Maher said.
“I’m rapt with her.
“She looks as good as she ever has, if not better and she trialled up pretty well.”
Maher will unlikely see Bella Nipotina’s preferred ground that has some give in it, but a potential transfer to Sydney later in the autumn might see those conditions prevail.
“I’ve been saying for years I can’t wait to see her on a wet track, but we haven’t been able to find one,” Maher said.
“Last spring in Sydney it was hard, so maybe up there in the autumn we might get a wet one.”
More Racing News
Augustus and Desert Hero debut in Flemington feature
While the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington doesn't carry the weight of the day's opening races, it has the potential to highlight future stars for major events ahead.Ciaron Maher will launch two newcomers from overseas in the Saturday 2000m race – Augustus and Desert Hero.Desert Hero already has Australian experience,...
Robbie Griffiths plans VRC Sires' Produce Stakes tilt with Almost An Angel
For the youngsters, the VRC Sires' Produce Stakes provides the debut opportunity to tackle a genuine journey.Now that the Blue Diamond Stakes, Victoria's top juvenile prize, has been run and captured last month, attention shifts for the fast two-year-olds to the Golden Slipper up in Sydney.Robbie Griffiths, however, set his...
Ipswich Friday features prepared Sir Maurice
With an advantageous claim on weight and a competitor set for a win, Jack Bruce is eager for Sir Maurice to perform at Ipswich this coming Friday.Marking his fifth run this campaign, the five-year-old offspring of champion Japanese sire Maurice enters the Great Northern Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m) for an...
Blinkers and McDonald for Hidrix in key Todman Stakes before Golden Slipper
Hidrix, once the top pick for the Golden Slipper, faces two major tweaks for his engagement in the Todman Stakes at Randwick: blinkers fitted and James McDonald in the saddle.Although McDonald guided stable companion Confederation during the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) Hidrix won and the Silver Slipper (1100m), he'll switch to...
Filly Caffe Florian emerges as next talent for Richard Litt
Though Richard Litt runs a modest team in numbers, he has proven adept at pinpointing quality performers.Responsible for training dual Group 1 champion Castelvecchio and Profondo's 2021 Spring Champion Stakes success, the Warwick Farm conditioner now seems to hold a fresh prospect in developing filly Caffe Florian.The three-year-old by Snitzel...
Waller's entrants set for All-Star Mile at Flemington
Leading handler Chris Waller embraces the All-Star Mile format since its promotion to Group 1.Launched back in 2019, the All-Star Mile moved between key Melbourne venues and mirrored Japan's Arima Kinen by letting the public choose their top pick.Changes were implemented in later years, and Waller entered sparingly.Securing Group 1...
Mark Zahra backs Tentyris to overcome weight in Newmarket
Mark Zahra, the jockey, doesn't see the allocated weight for Tentyris as a barrier to the colt capturing the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.To win the Group 1 1200m event at Flemington on Saturday, Tentyris must replicate the weight record set by Ajax back in 1938.The 57kg impost matches what Fastnet...
Freedman eyes Ninja's mile potential in Randwick Guineas
Michael Freedman counts on Ninja getting forward in the run as an essential element boosting his shot at the Group One Randwick Guineas.Unlike key challengers Autumn Boy and Attica, who prefer to come from off the pace, Ninja showed his flexibility in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) by tracking the pacesetter...
Experienced Coal Crusher set for Newcastle Stakes challenge
If Coal Crusher maintains his strong connection with the Newcastle venue, he could provide Joe Pride with an excellent beginning to his weekend on a prominent regional racing occasion.On a quick six-day freshen-up from his Liverpool City Cup (1300m) defeat at Randwick, the gelding lines up in Friday's Group 3...
Rawiller's decision spotlights Lady Shenandoah's Canterbury Stakes bid
With Ciaron Maher readying Gringotts for his seasonal reappearance in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick, another jockey has accidentally boosted the credentials of a prominent rival entrant.Nash Rawiller built an impressive alliance with Gringotts late in his previous campaign, notching successive wins in the Big Dance and The Gong.They were...