Nicconi Filly Wins Inglis Scone Guineas

Leading country trainer Brett Cavanough was on cloud nine after his star Nicconi filly Loved Up captured the $400,000 Inglis Scone Guineas on Saturday.

The progressive filly was a last start second against older horses in the Wagga Town Plate and produced a whirlwind finish up the fence to come from near last and win this 1400 metre contest by a length and a quarter over stakes-winning filly Nayeli.

“We threw her in the Wagga Town Plate as a lead up to here, and after getting beaten a nose, she’s such a good doer we were really pleased,” said Cavanough.

The winning connections are hoping Loved Up can follow in the footsteps of previous Inglis Guineas winners Cosmic Endeavour and Sincero, which both went on to Group 1 success at the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

“We’re just thinking about whether we go to Queensland for the Tattersalls Tiara or what we do. There have been a couple of winners out of this race that have won Group Ones, including a Stradbroke, so it’s been in my mind all the time,” Cavanough added.

Passed in at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Lustre Lodge, Loved Up is a half-sister to stakes-winner Liesele from Group II placed Love’s Here.

She’s been a great money spinner for her owners winning six of 13 starts and over $460,000 in prizemoney.

Loved Up is one of a string of recent winners for dual Group I winner Nicconi, who has moved to second on the Leading Second Season Sires List by winners and third by earnings.

The Inglis Scone Guineas carries Restricted Listed status so Loved Up is the third stakes-winner for Nicconi.