No No, Yes says Niki

Sportswriter mare Niki No No will compete in the Alabar Breeders Challenge this season for the first time. Connections of the Group 1 winner have decided to target the Breeders Challenge series rather than Harness Racing Victorian features with the conditions of the NSW series more suitable to the four year old mare.

Part owner Rob Auber confirmed there had been some discussion between connections on whether they would aim at the Breeders Challenge.

"She won the Vicbred as a two year old and finished second in it last year at three but the mile racing is ideal for her so the Breeders Challenge was the way we decided to go this season and we're looking forward to seeing her compete at Menangle," Auber said.

"Her recent form has been against very good opposition and sometimes racing mares out of their grade helps them take that next step in their development. Importantly she is very fit going into the series and Kari and Paul Males are experts at having horses peak for a particular series."

Niki No No will compete in the first of Saturday night's Alabar Breeders Challenge semi finals for the four year old mares and has been installed second favourite for the race behind the Belinda McCarthy trained Makes Every Scents. According to Auber, Niki No No's gate speed should negate the effects of the wide barrier draw.

"Her versatility is a huge bonus, she has got the acceleration at the start so she can come out of the gate and she can also come with a run but because she is so fit on Saturday night she will go forward early on.

"Makes Every Scents is a very good mare and Dolly Braveheart has been racing well too, I have a lot of respect for the opposition but she has had the perfect lead up to the series and there will be no excuses."

Niki No No had nine starts as a two year old, ten at three and is lining up on Saturday for her tenth at four.

"She won't have many more starts this season. Hopefully the final of the Breeders Challenge and maybe one more and she will deserve a good long break.

"The Mares Classic in Perth at the end of the year might be twelve months too soon but I won't rule it out totally because one of her owners is WA trainer Gary Elson. If she measures up, the Ladyship Mile next year could be the agenda for her."

Auber also owns a share in stablemate Bella Sainz and she will compete in the second of the semi finals.

"Bella Sainz has all the ability in the world but she is a stress head and her worst enemy in the world is herself. She hasn't had a lot of racing because she has never been mature enough mentally.

"I'm quietly confident she can qualify for the final by running well on Saturday night. She is a fast beginner and her two victories she has led from start to finish."

The mares will travel up from Victoria on Saturday morning and Auber is hoping the trip away helps Bella Sainz take the next step.

"They will head up on Saturday morning, stay at Menangle on Saturday night and head home on Sunday morning. I'm hoping the trip away from home might just make her grow up.

"If you go back through her career you will see that she only has about four runs each campaign because of her immaturity. Stepping up to race mares the calibre of Ameretto might just help with her development."

Auber has an affinity with mares having also raced Group 1 winner Bellas Delight. The daughter of Bettors Delight was retired in November last year and is enjoying winding down from a career that saw her earn more than $442,000.

"Bellas Delight is at Benstud, she is enjoying her retirement and will be put in foal this breeding season. At this stage we will be going to Somebeachsomewhere."

Greg Hayes