Niccanova to start despite barrier

Niccanova runs at Doomben despite a wide barrier as he tries to make the field for the Stradbroke.

The lure of a start in the Group One Stradbroke Handicap means Niccanova will run at Doomben despite a wide barrier.

Niccanova has drawn barrier 12 in Saturday’s Listed Spear Chief Stakes (1350m) and trainer Steve Tregea admits normally he would not run the gelding.

“He is a casual horse in his races. But from a good barrier you can ride him along a bit to be more forward but if you do that from a wide barrier you risk getting posted throughout,” Tregea said.

“I don’t think he will be out of the place in a Stradbroke but really he will have to win on Saturday to make the field.”

Niccanova is currently No. 31 to make the field of 18 in the Stradbroke on Saturday week.

“His best win was at Eagle Farm and I just hope for some twist of fate to get him in,” Tregea said.

Tregea said if Niccanova did not make the Stradbroke field he would run in the Listed Wayne Wilson Mile on the same day.

He said stablemate Bergerac would also run in the Wilson Mile or an 1800m-race at the meeting.

Niccanova and Bergerac were two of the unlucky runners in the Group Three BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben on May 18.

“Hopefully we have used up our bad luck. I know there were plenty of hard luck stories in the BRC Sprint but we were two of them,” he said.

“I backed up Bergerac at Eagle Farm last week and it was plain he had no luck at all and should have finished a lot closer.”

Bergerac finished sixth in the Lord Mayor’s Cup won by Order Again.