Nicoletta to tackle The Gong

Nicoletta will contest the $A1m The Gong on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell

New Zealand Group One winner Nicoletta (NZ) (Savabeel) will have her second Australian start on Saturday at Kembla Grange.

The Kris Lees-trained mare has drawn wide in barrier 19 for the A$1m The Gong (1600m).

Lees has tinkered with her gear and hopes the mare, who is in foal, can get another win before retiring from racing.

“She has come on really well and we’ve put the blinkers back on her,” Lees said.

“She can probably still go to the Villiers (Gr.2,1600m) too. She has still got a bit of racing to go time-wise.”