Trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon will need to curb their eagerness as they await Nihancan’s readiness for extended racing distances.

The ultimate objective for Nihancan is the Mahogany Challenge Series Final, a 2500m race scheduled for Flemington on July 4. However, the colt must first qualify for this event by competing in the Ken Cox Handicap (2000m) at Flemington this Saturday.

Nihancan’s breeding suggests a strong aptitude for staying races.

He is a son of Arapaho Miss, the victor of the 2007 VRC Oaks, a mare who has produced accomplished stayers such as De Little Engine, the 2019 Oaks winner Miami Bound, Roaring Engine, and Kadavar.

Nihancan has competed in five races to date, recording a maiden victory over 2040m at Seymour on May 21, before finishing sixth behind Rockette over 2000m at Flemington on June 6.

Despite this, Symons believes the colt is clearly signaling his readiness for the 2500m distance of the Mahogany Challenge Series Final.

“Hopefully we will pick up some points on the weekend to get to that race, as that’s what we’ve got him set for,” Symons said.

“I thought he ran really well the other day. He was jammed up behind other horses for quite a while and when he got some clean air, his last 100 (metres) was really good.”

“But the draw (barrier 16) makes it tricky.”

Nihancan began his racing career over 1600m, finishing last at Ballarat in March. He then stepped up to 2000m, finishing seventh at Kilmore in April.

Following that, Symons indicated that the decision was made to race him more positively.

“Early on he wasn’t switched on and then we rode him forward at Pakenham,” he stated.

“Before that we had been teaching him to settle, and we saw improvement and then he really improved at Seymour.”

“The horse that he beat ran third in the Victoria Derby and I thought he took another huge step forward at Flemington the other day.”

“I know he only ran sixth, but I like the way he hit the line and he’s screaming out for the 2500 metres.”

“If he can get into the final of that series, I think he will be thereabouts.”

Having prepared Knight’s Choice to win the Melbourne Cup, Symons hopes that Nihancan will one day participate in Australia’s most celebrated race, similar to his half-sister Miami Bound’s two attempts.

“We’ll look and see where he ends up this spring and how he develops,” Symons commented.

“It will all depend on each run and where he’s at, but he is a nice horse.”

Punters can find the latest racing odds for the Ken Cox Handicap at betting sites.