Queensland Cup Romp for Nikau Spur (NZ)

Well-performed Karaka graduate Nikau Spur (NZ) (Proisir) collected a richly deserved first black-type win with a runaway performance in Saturday’s A$160,000 Listed XXXX Queensland Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm.

Nikau Spur was offered by co-breeders Hallmark Stud in Book 1 of Karaka 2018, where he fell short of his $40,000 reserve. His 38-start career has now produced eight wins, 13 placings and A$500,532 in prize-money.

Nikau Spur was ridden by James Orman on Saturday and produced an irresistible finish out of midfield, powering clear to win by more than three lengths.

“It worked out really well, and for a stayer like him, he really sprinted fast,” Orman said.

The eight-year-old gelding delivered a first black-type success for his trainers, Toowoomba-based Corey and Kylie Geran. They took special satisfaction from Saturday’s win, having settled for second in the past two editions of their home-town Toowoomba Cup (2000m).

“It’s a huge thrill,” Corey Geran said. “Obviously that is our first stakes winner as trainers. We have been the bridesmaid so many times now that I didn’t think it was ever going to come, but it has happened.

“He is just a marvel. I love this horse. He is my favourite horse and it is so much of a team effort. A big thanks to my parents and co-trainer my mum, who is at Warwick today. I couldn’t and wouldn’t do it without them and I wouldn’t do it without the people in this horse.

“A big thanks to Kobe O’Brien, who is no longer in the ownership but Grant Goodrum, one of my best mates has taken over and he gets his first stakes winner today as well, so thanks, Grant.

“It was very bittersweet to not win the home-town Cup with him over the past two years, as it is a race you want to win, but to do this with this horse is pretty special.”

Nikau Spur was initially trained in New Zealand by Rosie Buchanan, for whom he placed on debut. He was subsequently sold to clients of leading Australian trainer Ciaron Maher, and he won three races for that stable before joining the Gerans.