3 minute read
Ben and JD Hayes-trained Nicolini Vito was impressive at Flemington on Saturday, bringing up back-to-back victories.
Progressive gelding Nicolini Vito has bought up a double for both Lindsay Park and Josh Richards with an eye-catching win in the VRC Event Staff Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday.
It also saw the son of Nicconi bring up back-to-back wins after getting the job done at Sandown three weeks earlier.
The four-year-old now has four wins to his name from 11 stats, but Saturday's was his most impressive yet.
Ben and JD Hayes have taken their time with the gelding after encountering some issues last preparation, with stable representative Dom Rhoden saying they'll continue to work through the grades.
"It's fantastic to get the win for Peter Devitt and Russell, Craig and Karen, they're brilliant supporters of the stable and it's great to get a result with one of their homebreds," he said.
"He had a few issues after his last preparation and we gave him a good spell back at the farm, brought him up slowly and he's really delivering this prep which is great to see.
"We'll look to go through the grades with him, find a 78 (benchmark) for him next time, he's racing in great heart so we'll just keep him going."
Nicolini Vito was caught wide in the opening stages after jumping from a middle barrier in the big field, but Josh Richards was able to slot him in one off the fence with 1100m remaining.
He was travelling well through the middle stages but had to be eased off heels at the top of the straight as Richards went looking for clear air.
Richards was able to steer the four-year-old into the clear with 300m to go and he let rip down the middle of the track to sprint clear and win by 1-3/4 lengths.
The win handed Richards a race-to-race double, continuing his strong run of form that has seen him strike at 16% in his last 50 rides.
Richards was happy to repay the faith the Lindsay Park operation has shown in him.
"We found a lovely position and we got a lovely run throughout," he said.
"They steadied up a bit on the corner and we just had to be a little bit patient to get to the outside, but once he got to the outside, he had a really nice turn of foot.
"He was really strong when I asked him and he picked them up really nicely.
"The support from Lindsay Park has been really great ever since I came down here, they've been giving me plenty of quality rides.
"It's just great to get the job done for them and be able to make the most of the support they've been giving me."
Second-favourite Divine Diosa finished second, with $41 outsider Narvaez showing some good determination to finish in third position.
European import Worthily finished back in eighth place in a solid Australian debut.
"Nicolini Vito stands up & takes the lead..."
— Racing.com (@Racing) January 15, 2022
Four wins & four placings from 11 starts so far @lindsayparkrace pic.twitter.com/IcAhckrzz0
