Niance kicks off campaign in Adelaide

Trainer Grahame Begg is Adelaide bound with his smart mare Niance (NZ) (Swiss Ace) which in turn could lead the sprinter to a campaign in Brisbane.

With no suitable sprint options for Niance at Flemington on Saturday, Begg has decided to head to the Gr.3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville.

Ironically there is no race shorter than 1400m on the Anzac Day card at Flemington.

Begg said Niance was ready to kick off over 1100m after having only two runs last spring.

In fact, Niance had just three runs through 2025, and has not raced since finishing third to Giga Kick and Tropicus in the Gr.2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield in October.

"She had a little joint issue in the spring, so we had to back off her and give her time so it would all settle down," Begg said.

"She's had a couple of jump-outs, so she'll go over there and I think she's ready for the 1100 metres.

"The Sangster is on the same day and it's a bit hard running them in a Group 1 over 1200 metres first-up.

"That would be a bit of an ask for her."

Begg said Niance, a winner of seven of her 13 starts, would return home to her Cranbourne stable after which a decision would be made on which direction the mare would take.

A trip north to Brisbane is favoured by Begg although he has not ruled out a return to Adelaide for the Gr.1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 9.

"The Goodwood is there, I guess, and we can always look at that, but it's very hard making two trips with them within a couple of weeks," Begg said.

"There's a whole heap of races up in Brisbane that she could run in.

"We can get her up there, settle her in and have a look as there is virtually a race every week for her."