Nihancan's path to Flemington staying test

John Symons and Sheila Laxon, the training partnership, are currently holding back their enthusiasm as they await Nihancan's readiness for extended racing distances.

The ultimate goal for Nihancan is the Mahogany Challenge Series Final, a 2500m race set to take place at Flemington on July 4. However, prior to this, the colt must qualify by performing well in the Ken Cox Handicap, a 2000m event scheduled for Flemington this Saturday.

Nihancan's pedigree strongly suggests a capacity for staying.

He is a progeny of Arapaho Miss, who clinched the 2007 VRC Oaks title. Arapaho Miss has a notable record of producing stayers, including De Little Engine, the 2019 Oaks champion Miami Bound, Roaring Engine, and Kadavar.

Nihancan has competed in five races so far, securing a maiden win over 2040m at Seymour on May 21. Subsequently, he finished sixth behind Rockette in a 2000m race at Flemington on June 6.

Nonetheless, Symons believes the colt is showing clear indications of being primed for the 2500m distance of the Mahogany Challenge Series Final.

"Hopefully we will pick up some points on the weekend to get to that race, as that's what we've got him set for," Symons said.

"I thought he ran really well the other day. He was jammed up behind other horses for quite a while and when he got some clean air, his last 100 (metres) was really good."

"But the draw (barrier 16) makes it tricky."

Nihancan's career began over 1600m, where he finished last at Ballarat in March. He then progressed to 2000m, finishing seventh at Kilmore in April.

Following those runs, Symons mentioned that the stable decided to employ a more aggressive racing tactic.

"Early on he wasn't switched on and then we rode him forward at Pakenham," he explained.

"Before that we had been teaching him to settle, and we saw improvement and then he really improved at Seymour."

"The horse that he beat ran third in the Victoria Derby and I thought he took another huge step forward at Flemington the other day."

"I know he only ran sixth, but I like the way he hit the line and he's screaming out for the 2500 metres."

"If he can get into the final of that series, I think he will be thereabouts."

Having played a role in preparing Knight's Choice for a Melbourne Cup victory, Symons hopes that Nihancan might one day contest Australia's most prestigious race, much like his half-sister Miami Bound did in two previous attempts.

"We'll look and see where he ends up this spring and how he develops," Symons stated.

"It will all depend on each run and where he's at, but he is a nice horse."

Betting markets for the Ken Cox Handicap are now open with online bookmakers.