ATTARD'S SPECIAL PLAN TO WIN THE NIVISON
As satisfying as it was to score with Sons Of John in 2015, it’s a safe bet a victory with Oui Oui Oui at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday will be even more special for the Hawkesbury trainer.
Attard has purposely set the talented five-year-old mare for a first-up tilt at The Nivison (1100m; a Group 3 feature for fillies and mares.
And the reason why he would dearly love to win the race?
Oui Oui Oui was bred and is raced by Kate Nivison’s Etak (Kate spelt backwards) Thoroughbreds and a number of her friends.
“The Nivison family is one of the best known in NSW racing, especially in the country,” Attard said today.
“Kate’s late father Simon was a well-respected country racing administrator, and he and his wife Jill part-owned the 1984 Golden Slipper Stakes winner Inspired (ridden by Darren Beadman).
“Dwight, who raced for me at Newcastle earlier in the week, is raced by Jill and carries the black and yellow colours Darren wore in winning the Slipper.
“Understandably, Kate would love to win this race carrying her family’s name.”’
Oui Oui Oui, a well-named daughter of 2019 The Everest winner Yes Yes Yes, underwent surgery after finishing seventh to Lord Of Biscay in the $1m Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 11.
“It was nothing serious, but she needed some tidying up of her joints,” Attard explained.
“Once we gave her time to rehab, I set out to get her ready for The Nivison and couldn’t be happier with her.
“Oui Oui Oui’s two recent trials have been brilliant.
“I feel she has never trialled any better as they have been against good class horses.
“Her regular rider Tom Sherry has ridden Oui Oui Oui in both trials, sticks with her on Saturday and she has drawn nicely.
“Obviously it’s not going to be the easiest race to win, but the mare is in great order and she has won twice from three first-up attempts.
“Kate always presents The Nivison trophy to the winning owners.
“I don’t think she will mind at all if she has to present it to herself on Saturday.”
Oui Oui Oui, who has won five of her 12 starts, surged along the inside to win a 742m trial at Randwick on August 28 before finishing second to this year’s Group 1 VRC Newmarket Handicap winner Caballus in a 900m trial at Rosehill on September 22.
In an open renewal of The Nivison, where four scratchings have so far lessened the field to 14, Oui Oui Oui was at $21 this afternoon with TAB.com.au.
Ciaron Maher’s mare She’s An Artist headed the betting at $4.80.
. Fellow Hawkesbury trainer Tommy Wong has settled on dual acceptor Hostwin King’s Rosehill race.
He has withdrawn the three-year-old from the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) to instead tackle the Listed Tapp-Craig at a longer 1400m, and Louis Beuzelin rides.
