Niance made a stunning return to the track with a commanding performance in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield, adding to her growing black-type résumé.
The five-year-old Swiss Ace mare was on track for the Oakleigh Plate earlier this year before a paddock mishap saw her sidelined with a fractured skull. However, she bounced back with authority, sitting wide throughout before drawing clear to win under jockey Daniel Moor.
Sent out a firm $2.40 favourite, Niance proved too strong for Cleo Cat ($4.40), winning by three-quarters of a length, while Aviatress ($10) was a close third.
Trainer Grahame Begg, who also saddled up Splash Back to an earlier win on the card, was full of praise for Niance’s resilience and return.
“She’s a gun,” Begg said. “She’s never run a bad race and came back from a serious injury. She’s done everything right in her prep and we knew she was spot on for today.”
Daniel Moor was having his first ride on Niance after Jordan Childs opted to ride in Queensland, and Begg hinted that better races could still lie ahead for the mare.
“There’s a chance she could go to Queensland for the Healy Stakes later this month,” he said. “Otherwise we could bring her back for the Heath Stakes in August.”
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