Niance shines in How Now Stakes, eyes Oakleigh Plate

[Wandering Eyes]

Classy mare Niance wins her fifth of her six starts in Australia in the Gr.3 How Now Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli

Classy sprinting mare Niance has proved a revelation since crossing the Tasman and joining the stable of Cranbourne trainer Grahame Begg.

The five-year-old daughter of Swiss Ace has won five of her six starts in Australia and dominated her rivals when defying the pattern of the day to lead throughout and land the Group 3 How Now Stakes (1200m) in Caulfield as the $2.80 favourite with the top Australian bookmakers.

2024 How Now Stakes Race Replay – Niance

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Leaders on the day had been thwarted by a strong northerly breeze, but connections elected not to alter the preferred racing style for Niance, with regular rider Jordan Childs executing the plan to perfection as the mare comfortably withheld the challenge of runner-up She’s Bulletproof.

“She’s got a good record this mare, and she probably should be nearly unbeaten with us,” Begg said.

“Each time we’ve raised the bar, she’s stepped up to the mark, and she makes her own luck up front, on the lead.

“We said to Jordan going into the race, look don’t change anything; I know it’s been advantageous, a bit of cover and things like that today, but you know I always believe ride the race to suit the horse. Don’t try changing anything and he got the job done and rode her well.”

Now a multiple stakes winner, Begg has eyes on some bigger targets, including the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on February 22 back at Caulfield.

“She just keeps on producing. In my back of my mind I’d like to give her a bit of a break now, maybe. You’ve got a day to dream, I guess. Maybe an Oakleigh Plate, in a race with 51 or 52 kilos on her back and she goes very well early in a preparation, so we can set her up for something like that could be advantageous or the Robert Sangster (Group 1, 1200m) later on, who knows.”

Niance began her career in the care of Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, for whom she was a winner and a placegetter from four starts in New Zealand before Phill Cataldo negotiated a private sale for clients Ace Bloodstock.

Begg took his time with the mare when she first crossed the Tasman, with 12 months between her final run in New Zealand and her Australian debut victory at Pakenham in February this year.

Niance was bred by Gerry Harvey and is by his Westbury Stud stallion Swiss Ace out of the Red Giant mare Cosmetic. Second dam Renovated is a half-sister to the Australian Group winners Alma’s Fury and Enforced.

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