Niccoco overcomes slow start to secure victory on debut

FOR trainer Garry Lefoe it was unbridled joy, but for jockey Paul Shiers it was a welcome to the spotlight.

Together they combined to take out the Easy Loans Handicap (1100m) at Fannie Bay yesterday with four-yearold gelding Niccoco ($9.50), who triumphed on debut in the Top End.

It was 40-year-old Lefoe’s first Cup Carnival win after making the move north to Darwin last year after acquiring his trainer’s licence.

Shiers has been one of the premier jockeys in the Northern Territory for a number of years and has been a major player during the Darwin Cup Carnival on a regular basis.

Niccoco, who had raced in NSW, Victoria and South Australia in the past, was sitting well back for a major portion of the race and it was hard to see him winning the race.

Having his first start since May 3 when he ran sixth at Balaklava, Niccoco wound up in the home straight to secure the honours by a commanding three lengths.

Kevin Lamprecht’s The Hummel (Raymond Vigar), a last-start winner at Fannie Bay, was a gallant second after overcoming numerous obstacles during the race.

Forced wide in the early stages before working his way to the lead turning for home, The Hummel set sail for home before Vigar lost his whip at the 150m.

It was rotten luck for the Alice Springs galloper, who had already used up a lot of petrol, but at the precise moment Vigar lost the persuader Niccoco was set to pounce.

“It was a super win by the horse and he will only improve,” Lefoe said.

“I was also surprised because I thought he needed the run, but I’m not complaining.

“I haven’t got any plans for him at the moment, but we’ll keep him going through the grades to see how he goes.”

Shiers, who only rides for about nine months of the year because of weight issues, was full of praise for Lefoe.

“It was great to win for Garry today as he has always been a big help to me,” he said.

Danny Penna’s Kilim (Richie Oakford) was among the leaders in the race and held on to grab third place.