Brisbane Best: Doomben – November 24

3 minute read

Talented sprinter Niccanova can add another stakes win to his record when he takes on the Listed Recognition Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Already a winner of the G3 Fred Best Classic last year and a placegetter in the G2 Queensland Guineas, Niccanova returned to winning form when stepping up to this distance last start.

On that occasion he camped on the speed before racing away to score by 2.3 lengths in a high-rating performance.

Jockey James Orman goes back aboard and knows Niccanova well having ridden him three times for two wins, including that Fred Best success.

With the speedy Dreams Aplenty drawn on the fence, Orman should be able to slot Niccanova into the box seat from gate five.

The five year-old has never missed a place at this course, winning three of his six visits.

He also relishes this journey - his last-start success his third win from four attempts - and he has a phenomenal record on rain-affected surfaces so a track in the soft range will only aid his chances.

Improving mare Travistee looks an each way betting proposition in the G.H. Mumm Benchmark 75 (2040m) earlier in the program.

The five-year-old has raced just 12 times but has a decent strike rate with four wins and four placings and could be ready to score again after catching the eye last start.

On that occasion she settled second last over 1800m at Sunshine Coast but made good ground to be beaten only-three-quarters-of-a-length into second.

That was only her second run back from a spell so she has scope for further improvement having won third up before.

Travistee is untried at this journey but her closing effort last start suggests she will relish it and three-kilo claimer Stephanie Lacy goes back aboard having won four of her six rides on the mare.

BRISBANE BEST

BET OF THE DAY: Race 8 #2 Niccanova @ $3.90

EACH WAY PLAY: Race 5 #8 Travistee @ $10