Noske boasts a Secret weapon
Four-year-old gelding KNOT SECRET can score an overdue win in the $80,000 Ratings 72+ Handicap over 1600m from Belmont Racecourse, Australia on Saturday.
KNOT SECRET is already a four-time winner from 20 starts but can add another to the tally this week after finishing runner-up on his last two starts. On each occasion, he has been set a task at the back of the field but has let down with his trade-mark turn-of-foot to miss narrowly by around a length each time.
Coming into barrier 1 on Saturday, jockey Jarrad Noske gets his chance to map handier to the pace, which should be the difference between winning and losing in the final few strides.
Nicci too speedy for Donald
Thriving three-year-old filly NICCI DE ROSA can continue her purple patch of form when she steps out in the $22,500 Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1000m from Toowoomba Racecourse, Australia on Saturday.
NICCI DE ROSA has been in sensational form in 2023, with a record of three wins and a narrow second-place defeat by a half-length in four races. The speedy daughter by Nicconi returns to the races after a let up, last seen on May 13 when winning her third race from six start at this track and distance.
Well placed at the weights under apprentice rider Alisha Donald’s claim, the Stephen Kirkwood-trained NICCI DE ROSA looks set to pick up when she left off.
Sunday
Louis has a smart Choice
Four-year-old gelding AIDAN’S CHOICE looks on track to shed his maiden tag in the $18,500 Maiden race over 1200m at Kalgoorlie racecourse this Sunday.
A two-time place getter from six, AIDAN’S CHOICE resumed with an encouraging first-up effort at this track two weeks ago. Despite being drawn the widest in a small field of six, the Vert De Grece gelding let down well from a rearward position to finish second, missing by three lengths over 1100m.
Stripping much fitter second-up, AIDAN’S CHOICE will appreciate the extra distance and he can prove a big winning chance under jockey Brandon Louis.
Nickelback is back for more
Four-year-old gelding NICKELBACK can score a first-up win this Sunday when he lines up in the $50,000 Class 2 race over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast racecourse, Australia.
NICKELBACK has not raced since finishing a solid third in a BM72 race over 1400m at Warwick Farm in January this year. Prior to that, the son of Nicconi finished second and fourth in two handicap races at Warwick Farm and Randwick respectively, so it’s fair to say he is a proven performer at metro tracks.
NICKELBACK has trialled ideally for his return and he finds a highly winnable race at his Queensland debut this week. With in-form jockey Ryan Maloney taking the reins, he can prove hard to beat.
