Naiconi thrown in the deep end for return race after extended absence

The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Naiconi will be making her first appearance in more than a year when she lines up in the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Naiconi has been off the scene since running second in the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in November 2022.

The now four-year-old began an autumn preparation last year and got to the trialling stage before returning to the spelling paddock.

“She had some bone bruising,” Calvin McEvoy said.

“It wasn’t one particular injury, she was immature and needed time.”

Naiconi has had an official trial and a jumpout in preparation for her racing return.

She finished fourth in a Stawell trial on January 11, a trial that included Ocean Beyond, Steparty and Jucconi, while she defeated Excelleration in a Burrumbeet jumpout on January 22.

“We threw a nomination in this race as we weren’t sure what the field would be like,” McEvoy said.

“There are weaker options if we want to wait, but looking at the field we’re keen to kick her off in it.

“She trialled nicely at Burrumbeet with Excelleration who won the Great Western Cup, albeit at 1950 (metres), by about five, but I think she’s going well.

“She’s not screwed down. She has been off the scene for a long time and there’s only so much you can do with horses at home and at some time you need to get them to the races.

“I’ve got no doubt she will improve a lot out of it, but she’s that class of horse, so why not.”

With her ailments, Naiconi was thrown in at the deep end of her last preparation and attained black type for the ownership group.

McEvoy said now was the time to see if can live up to that potential.

“Sometimes you throw horses in the deep end, and it doesn’t always work,” McEvoy said.

“She was placed in a Stakes race, which was great, but it’s unfortunate that she has had so long off the track, so let’s hope she can stay sound and get back to that potential.”