New Favourite for NZB Filly of the Year Series Crown

New Favourite for NZB Filly of the Year Series Crown

The Group 1 $300,000 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas (1600m) was won by Te Akau Racing’s Costa Viva (Encosta de Lago) in front of a capacity crowd at Riccarton Park on Saturday, propelling the three-year-old filly to the top of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series.
COSTA VIVA 1000 guineas
Group 1 NZB 1000 Guineas winner Costa Viva.

With five of the last six winners of the New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas also going on to secure the final NZB Filly of the Year Series crown, Costa Viva’s win puts her in hot favouritism to become Te Akau Racing’s fifth Filly of the Year Series winner in the past decade.

The Jason Bridgman trained filly travelled down from the team’s Matamata base for her lead up run at Riccarton Park last month where she was decisive winner of the Listed Ray Coupland Stakes, having finished second to race rival Bounding (Lonhro) at her previous start.

Bounding started a resounding favourite on the back of an unbeaten three-year-old campaign but was trapped wide throughout the race from her outside barrier.

Costa Viva was able to sit near the tale of the field in the race that was run at an even pace, suiting the backmarker. Leith Innes gave his mount an economical journey and that was telling over the final stages of the race.

Bounding had found the lead in the straight despite her tough trip but as hard as she fought she was no match for Costa Viva over the final stages, with the familiar tangerine and blue colours of Te Akau Racing gaining superiority to score by three-quarters of a length. Fellow Jason Bridgman trained runner Spellbinder (NZ) (O’Reilly) held onto third position after sitting outside the early pace.

To view the full story, click here.
Second Time is Lucky

The aptly named two-year-old Second Time Lucky (NZ) (Any Suggestion) lived up to her name with victory at her second start in the Listed $50,000 Barnswood Farm Agistment Welcome Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton Park on Saturday.
SECOND TIME LUCKY welcome stakes
Second Time Lucky (NZ) (centre) wins the Listed Barnswood Farm Agistment Welcome Stakes on Saturday.

Purchased at the 2013 Karaka Festival Sale for a mere $5,500, Second Time Lucky has quickly repaid her delighted owners with her two starts already fetching over $30,000 in prizemoney.

Second Time Lucky’s trainer and part-owner Bryce Revell selected the filly at the Sale, and is keen to get back there.

“I saw her walk out of the box and I just liked the type of her,” Revell commented. “Being by Any Suggestion there was a good chance she would run a bit. She looks a bit like Ekstreme, my Group 1 horse, so she caught my eye.

“We hope to back at Karaka next year and find another. I bought two last year and they both have ability and I think they will both be better three-year-olds. The owners couldn’t make it to Christchurch but are so happy and I think they will be back at the Sale next year. The buzz you get when you win you just can’t get anywhere else.”

Bred: G & Mrs L M Jones Offered: Highbury Park Stud Purchased: Mr BD Revell at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2013 Karaka Festival Sale for $5,500
Tweets of the Week

@ChrissyBambry:
Lot 34 - Starcraft, enjoying parading in the sun @KarakaChat Ready to Run Sale #impressive pic.twitter.com/o5IiRnQYA1

@UnitedSynd:
Heading off to @KarakaChat Ready To Run sale tomorrow. Great catalogue and terrific breeze ups. Looking forward to the sale!

@WestburyStud:
@Dynamic_WONIT @Dsmithracing @Haynsie75 Timely victory with Idle Chat 1/2 brother by Red Giant on offer @KarakaChat RTR Sale this week!

@BradburyPark:
Pedigree update NZB RTR lot 29 now obtained further black type with Guns at Five 3rd in gr3 NZ Cup @KarakaChat

@Hope_Racing:
For the 12th consecutive year we begin our journey to @KarakaChat for their RTR sale. ?#Emirates #BuyAnotherFGear pic.twitter.com/iB4JuKgOaj
ends

© Scoop Media