Trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon will need to exercise patience as they await Nihancan’s progression towards longer distances.

The primary target for Nihancan is the Mahogany Challenge Series Final (2500m) at Flemington on July 4, but the colt must first secure a place in that event by competing in the Ken Cox Handicap (2000m) at Flemington this Saturday.

Nihancan possesses the breeding for staying races.

He is the offspring of Arapaho Miss, the winner of the 2007 VRC Oaks, who has a history of producing capable stayers such as De Little Engine, the 2019 Oaks winner Miami Bound, Roaring Engine, and Kadavar.

To date, Nihancan has had five starts, achieving a maiden victory over 2040m at Seymour on May 21, followed by a sixth-place finish behind Rockette over 2000m at Flemington on June 6.

However, Symons indicated that the colt is showing strong signs of 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 commenced his racing career over 1600m, finishing last at Ballarat in March, before stepping up to 2000m and finishing seventh at Kilmore in April.

Following this, Symons explained that a decision was made to adopt a more forward racing style.

“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 previously trained Knight’s Choice to victory in the Melbourne Cup, Symons harbours aspirations of seeing Nihancan compete in Australia’s premier race, mirroring his older sibling 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.”

For those keen to back Nihancan in the Ken Cox Handicap, explore the latest racing odds at Australian betting sites.