Highest Priced Nicconi Filly Breaks Maiden

After two previous second place efforts at her first two career starts, the Chris Waller-trained Sur La Mer (Nicconi-Clearwater Bay, by Stratum) contested the Westpac Rescue Helicopter maiden (1250m) at Newcastle on Tuesday where she broke her maiden in fine style, scoring by just shy of 2-lengths. Sold to Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock for $300,000 from the draft of Woodside Park Stud at the 2019 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, the Brenton Avdualla-ridden filly justified her short price favouritism with her victory and highlighted herself as one to watch moving forward. A full-sister to the Gr1 Blue Diamond runner-up Lankan Star, who sold at the recent Inglis Chairman's Sale for $710,000 to Kassere Pty Ltd, Sur La Mer is the third winner from three runners for Clearwater Bay who foaled a colt by Nicconi last season and is currently listed as being in foal to The Everest winner Yes Yes Yes (Rubick). A winner of the Gr1 Lightning Stakes, Nicconi, who will stand his first season at Widden's new Victoria farm at a fee of $27,500 (inc. GST), is best known as the sire of world class sprinter Nature Strip, one of his 22 stakes winners.