Spur shooting for another win at Eagle Farm races
Nikau Spur is not eligible for the Magic Millions wildcard that is on offer in Saturday’s Shoot Out at Eagle Farm, but that won’t prevent Corey and Kylie Geran from chasing another win with him.
The rejuvenated eight-year-old will have his 13th start since April in the $125,000 event over 2100 metres.
Being bred in New Zealand and offered for sale at Karaka renders the son of Proisir ineligible for the Magic Millions wildcard, but The Shoot Out shapes as the most suitable option after a successful two-start raid on New South Wales.
“He’s had his last two starts at Newcastle and Randwick and I wasn’t really sure what to do with him, but we got him home and he’s as well as ever,” Corey Geran said.
“Even if he was to win, he can’t get in the Magic Millions race because he was put through Karaka as a yearling, but there’s just not many other options for him.
“We’ll just keep trying to pick off the races can we find with him because he’s absolutely in career-best form.”
It took Nikau Spur nine starts to break through this year, but did so in the Listed Queensland Cup (2400m) on October 12 and posted another victory two starts later in The Beauford (2300m) at Newcastle.
His only start since was a third placing in the Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) at Randwick on December 14.
It has only been this preparation that Nikau Spur, who started his career in Australia with Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, has got out beyond 2200m, which has Geran confident of him handling the drop back 300m in trip this weekend.
The Toowoomba trainer considers drawing barrier six and being reunited with Mark Du Plessis as positives.
“I think the barrier is really important for him, it should get him a bit of cover,” Geran said.
“As long as there’s a bit of pace on, just a genuinely-run race, he should lob in a good spot and Mark gets back on and he’s won three races on him.”
Nikau Spur is a $13 chance in betting on The Shoot Out, which is headed by Kerchak ($4.20) and Belvedere Boys ($4.60)
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...