Co-trainer Corey Geran will always have a soft spot for Nikau Spur who chases back-to-back wins in the Listed Queensland Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Geran who trains in partnership with his mother Kylie claimed his first Stakes race with Nikau Spur in last year's Listed Queensland Cup triumph.
It was the start of bigger things to come for Nikau Spur who gave Geran his biggest thrill in racing when he beat a strong field in the Listed Beauford Stakes over 2300 metres at Newcastle in November last year.
He then stamped himself as a quality stayer finishing third in the Listed Christmas Cup at Randwick in December and third in the Magic Millions Shoot Out at the Gold Coast in January which put him on a path to the winter carnival in Brisbane.
In seven starts during the winter, Nikau Spur failed to win but was placed at Group 3 level over 2400 metres in the Premiers Cup at Eagle Farm in May.
"It was incredible to win a Listed race in Newcastle," Geran said.
"It was a big effort to travel all that way and to win with a Queensland horse."
Nikau Spur – a Corey Bayliss mount – is stepping out for his third start this campaign after finishing third to the Chris and Corey Munce-trained Walsh Bay in the Listed Toowoomba Cup over 2000 metres on September 27.
"It was a good run at Toowoomba as he drew wide and had to make as run around them," Geran said.
"He's pulled up well and he's going as good now as when he won this race last year."
While Nikau Spur is now a nine-year-old, Geran feels age is no barrier to him.
"Age hasn't changed him and he'll race on until he tells us when it's time for retirement," he said.
Geran is yet to decide on Nikau Sour's immediate future but hasn't ruled out a return trip to Sydney over the summer.
"I'm not sure what's next for him but if he races well, he could go back for the Beaufort Stakes at Newcastle and the Christmas Cup again at Randwick," he said.
"He loves this trip and he likes Eagle Farm so he should race well again."
Geran rates Toowoomba Cup winner Walsh Bay as the main threat to Nikau Spur.
