logo
Niance returns with dominant win in Bel Esprit Stakes at Caulfield after recovering from mystery skull fracture

Niance returns with dominant win in Bel Esprit Stakes at Caulfield after recovering from mystery skull fracture

News.com.au31-05-2025
Aspiring top class sprinter Niance picked up where she left off last spring – albeit without infected bone fragments in her skull – for a dominant Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1200m) victory at Caulfield.
The Grahame Begg -trained flyer comfortably accounted for race-fit Cleo Cat and Aviatress in her first start back from a mystery cracked skull.
Niance was being rested for an Oakleigh Plate campaign when staff discovered the significant injury.
'She cracked her skull and had fragments taken out,' Begg said.
'The problem was we didn't know how she injured herself. She was in the paddock and they found her, she had swelling to her skull.
'There wasn't any sign of any head trauma or anything, we were a bit miffed what happened to her.
'We had to do surgery on her to remove the (infected bone) fragments, once we got all that cleaned up and looked after he very well … she's bounced through it and onwards and upwards.'
Niance is back in a big way taking out the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes giving the Begg stable a Caulfield double! @Grahame_Begg @daniel_moor @AceBloodstock pic.twitter.com/ih8tQ2OP4p
â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) May 31, 2025

Niance powered to victory on Saturday, cruised wide in the run and took over quickly in the straight.
'She's a gun,' Begg said after favourite Niance sealed a Caulfield double for the stable.
'Never knows how to run a bad race.
'She was in a good rhythm all the way through, I just said to (jockey) Daniel (Moor) keep it smooth, it doesn't matter if you're wide because … she's got a great will to win this mare.
'I'm sure there's better things in store for her.'
Begg has a Group 2 option in Queensland to consider but indicated the Group 3 The Heath 1100 at Caulfield in August could parlay better into the spring with ultimate Group 1 aspirations.
Niance has won seven of 11 starts including the past three in stakes' company.
• Big Swinger's stunning burst bails out favourite backers
'To be able to bounce back and come through that (injury) … she hasn't missed a beat,' Begg said.
'She gave us all the indication she prepped up really well for today, it was the ideal race for her.
'She's done a good job to come back and do what she has done today.'
Moor appreciated the pick-up ride on Niance and nailed the brief.
'She's not a huge horse but she's got a great length of stride,' Moor said.
'In a matter of two strides we'd gone from being two lengths off them to right at them and I just wanted her to harness that in the right way … wanted to give her that balanced up set up to let rip.'
Begg's first winner on Saturday's card, Splash Back, was equally impressive, charging to victory in the 1200m Fillies and Mares Benchmark 78.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

AFL Round 20 Saturday live updates: Suns vs Lions, Dockers vs Eagles, Kangaroos vs Cats, Crows vs Power blog, scores and stats
AFL Round 20 Saturday live updates: Suns vs Lions, Dockers vs Eagles, Kangaroos vs Cats, Crows vs Power blog, scores and stats

ABC News

time9 minutes ago

  • ABC News

AFL Round 20 Saturday live updates: Suns vs Lions, Dockers vs Eagles, Kangaroos vs Cats, Crows vs Power blog, scores and stats

It's Rivalry Saturday in the AFL, starting with the Suns hosting the Lions in a crucial Q-Clash at Carrara. Next up will be the Dockers hosting the Eagles at Perth Stadium in the Western Derby, as Fremantle attempts to consolidate their place ahead of September. Then tonight, the Crows and the Power meet at Adelaide Oval, as Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley leads his team for one last Showdown. Docklands is the venue for the other game today, with the Kangaroos hosting Geelong. Follow the live blog below, keep up to date with all the latest stats in our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage.

West Indies skipper's ‘masterclass' puts Aussies to the sword
West Indies skipper's ‘masterclass' puts Aussies to the sword

News.com.au

time9 minutes ago

  • News.com.au

West Indies skipper's ‘masterclass' puts Aussies to the sword

Australia secured the series victory against the West Indies on Saturday with Tim David delivering a historic innings at Warner Park in Saint Kitts. The Aussies were set 215 runs to make it three wins in a row and while it looked dicey halfway through the chase, David flipped the script in absurd scenes. After the ninth over, the Aussies found themselves at 4/92 before David flicked the switch and went after the West Indies attack. The middle order star etched his name into the record books by registering the fastest ever half-century and century by an Australian in a T20 international contest. He needed only 16 deliveries to bring up his half-century and brought up his century off 37 deliveries as he guided the Aussies home. In one blistering passage, he led the way as he and Mitchell Owen scored 71 runs over the course of three overs. 'This is a momentum-changing knock here from Tim David,' Brad Haddin said, while his fellow commentator Samuel Badree added: 'This is insane level batting'. The absurd innings left cricket fans watching on in sheer disbelief after the level of hitting that was being displayed. Sports journo David Moore wrote on X: 'Is Tim David playing Stick Cricket? He is absolutely on a different planet today.' Journalist Brayden May wrote: 'Tim David treating the West Indian bowlers like nan on Christmas Day.' Another added: 'Goodness me this tim david innings is reminiscent of old chris gayle work. he's smoked about a dozen balls out of the ground today, power hitting of the top most order.' A third wrote: 'What an onslaught by Tim David. He has singlehandedly taken the game away from West Indies.' David's electric display of power-hitting stole the limelight away from West Indies skipper Shai Hope. With the West Indies needing to win in order to keep their hopes alive in the five match series, Hope batted superbly when scoring an unbeaten 102 to lead his nation to 4-214 from the full allotment of overs. The star West Indian Hope joined Chris Gayle as the only batters from the Caribbean to score centuries in all formats of the game when scoring his maiden T20 century from 57 deliveries. Despite his best efforts, the tally wasn't enough as Australia's middle order exploded and snatched victory away. With the series now wrapped up by the Aussies the final two matches mean little with the hosts hoping they can snag at least one victory for their fans.

Wallabies vs British and Irish Lions: Second test scores, latest talking points from the MCG
Wallabies vs British and Irish Lions: Second test scores, latest talking points from the MCG

News.com.au

time39 minutes ago

  • News.com.au

Wallabies vs British and Irish Lions: Second test scores, latest talking points from the MCG

For a city that has always been lukewarm about its on-again, off-again relationship with rugby, Melbourne has turned on the charm offensive for Saturday's latest fling between Australia and the British & Irish Lions. Revelling in its reputation as Australia's sporting capital, Melbourne has embraced the so-called game they play in heaven like never before, breaking with convention by granting the Lions permission to play on Victoria's most hallowed turf. Comprising the best players from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, the Lions have already featured at some of the most iconic stadiums on the planet since they began touring the world in the late 1880s, but there's something extra about getting invited to play on the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the first time. 'When you spend time in Melbourne and speak to the locals and all Australians, they hold the MCG in a real special regard,' the Lions' captain Maro Itoje said. 'It's a privilege for us to play there in what will be an amazing stadium and an amazing crowd. If it reaches full capacity, it will definitely be the biggest stadium that I've played in, so it's something that we're looking to relish.' Melbourne knows how to throw a party and for the visiting fans, the festivities are already in full swing. An estimated 40,000 Lions' supporters have made the long trip from Europe to watch the match live from the G and have transformed the Victorian state capital into a sea of red jerseys and hoodies against the backtrack of 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot', 'Flower of Scotland', 'Land of my Fathers' and 'Ireland's call.' From the CBD to St Kilda Beach and Lygon Streets, Melbourne's pubs and restaurants are doing a roaring trade, with Lions' and Wallabies fans side-by-side. Because Lions tours to Australia only take place every 12 years, for Wallabies' long-suffering supporters, it's a rare time they can wear the team's gold jersey with pride. After the disaster of the last World Cup, being spotted in public wearing a Wallabies jersey was almost as awkward as being caught on kiss cam at a Coldplay concert, but not this week in bustling Melbourne. While the final attendance will depend on how many members show up, Rugby Australia expects it will surpass the all-time record crowd for any Lions match of 84,188, at Sydney in 2001. 'In 10, 15 years' time will I look back on this game?' Absolutely,' Australia fullback Tom Wright said. 'I'm probably never going to play in front of 100,000 people again,' For both teams, the occasion has taken on even greater importance because the stakes could not be higher. The tourists won the opening Test 27-19 in Brisbane last weekend and will clinch the series with a game to spare if they win again at the MCG. The Wallabies are desperate to level the series and ensure the last match in Sydney is not a dead rubber and Melbourne's fickle weather has potentially come to their rescue. In theory, the forecast of rain on Saturday night should help the Wallabies, who have assembled a massive forward pack after Rob Valetini, Will Skelton and Dave Porecki were all passed fit after missing the series opener. The Australians were outplayed in the first Test but finished strongly to close the final margin to eight points after trailing by 19 early in the second half. The Wallabies' coach Joe Schmidt is banking on his big men holding the Lions at bay long enough for his replacements to run over the top of them, but also knows things don't always go to plan so he doesn't care how they get the result, as long as they do. 'We just want to win,' he said. The Lions know the ambush the Wallabies are planning for them. In 2001 and 2013, the visitors won the opening Test in Brisbane only to lose game two in Melbourne. They have made changes to their team too, with head coach Andy Farrell stacking his starting XV with nine Irishmen for what he hopes will be their crowning glory. 'We're the privileged ones that get the opportunity to do something special and hopefully create a bit of history,' Farrell said. 'There's a determined Australian side that's in our way that's going to try and stop us from doing that, so it's a hell of a Test.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store