2024 Nicopolis Stakes Day Tips & Preview

Blue Rocket gets the class of William Pike in the saddle second-up from a spell.  

The Pearce-trained filly by Irish Group 1 winner Blue Point was a complete forgive fresh, tracking into the race wide and finishing down the order.  

She handled this trip nicely earlier in the year at Ascot however, finishing a clear second to Bustling, who then went on to win his next start.  

Drawn a better gate on this occasion, she looks a likely improver.  

Pin Deep is the obvious choice third-up with a hat-trick of wins next to his name. 

The four-year-old by Deep Field won an easier race fresh at Pinjarra to kick off his prep, before tackling a Class 3 at Northam where he landed up on the speed and went on to draw clear by over four lengths.  

This is obviously the toughest assignment he’s faced, but if he produces that same turn of foot in the finish, there’s nothing to suggest he can’t go on with the job.  

Patron Of Kings looks ready for 1400m third-up from a spell.  

This boy has been close to a win in both runs back, cashing a cheque over 1200m where he’s showed real late speed on both occasions.  

His late splits last time out have really caught the eye and he does have a win on the board third-up.  

Bondi Plunge hasn’t done a great deal wrong during her 14-start career. 

The mare by Bondi returned to the winner’s stall first-up over the track and distance last month, letting down with a solid turn of foot over the final furlong to grab the lead and never look back.  

She’s done some of her best racing at this stage of her prep and her late splits suggest there’s plenty of petrol left in the tank for a similar performance.  

So long as Stop Dreaming is afforded some room from the inside gate, he should be going close.  

Luke Fernie’s six-year-old doesn’t win out of turn, but he was arguably the run of the race off a four-week break over the track and distance last start, winding up with a big run to finish second to Iowa.  

He’d like the track on the dry side, but with improvement to come and only 1.5kg extra on his back, he’ll be there at the business end.  

Trio was having just his second look at 1400m here at Belmont a couple of weeks ago.  

The Team Williams-trained four-year-old wasn’t beaten far in a race he probably could have won if he wasn’t held up badly at a crucial stage midway down the straight.  

Back to back wins over 1300m prior suggest he can handle this trip, and if he can find clear air from the inside gate this time, a win really wouldn’t shock.  

Silver Eye on top in a race that could offer up a few surprises.  

This boy has been going great guns for Adam Durant of late, putting together two solid wins over shorter with apprentice Lucy Fiore in the saddle.  

The pair combine again here in a similar contest and map to adopt similar tactics up on the speed.  

Frigid can run a nice race fresh on her day, particularly here at Belmont where she’s won on three of four occasions. 

The mare by Frosted has been given close to five months between runs, last seen finishing second-last at Caulfield over the mile where she did plenty wrong from start to finish.  

The booking of Willy Pike speaks for itself and she should take plenty of benefit away from racing against tougher horses in Melbourne.  

Captain Pluto presents rock-hard fit with three runs under his belt.  

The Williams-trained son of Savabeel wasn’t beaten far in a similar race last start, potentially over-racing at a key stage in a race that wasn’t run to suit.  

He should find a more genuine tempo to his liking on this occasion and is obviously the class runner in the field given his record and resume.