Another Te Akau NZ Stakes' Win

Viana (5 m Volksraad - Hecuba, by Danzero) scored a valuable stakes win for her broodmare future when successful in the $50,000 Christchurch Casino Spring Classic (Listed, 2000m) on Saturday Oct. 26 at Riccarton.

Te Akau trainer Jason Bridgman had set Viana for the race and following a perfect lead-up run for sixth, when starved for room inside the final 150 metres, over a mile last Saturday at Ashburton, she drew the coveted number one barrier to assist her cause.

From three back on the rail, Viana received a perfect passage into the clear approaching the home turn and after strolling up to lead ominously on straightening she responded to the urgings of jockey Matt Cameron to head a trio that were dominant over the remainder.

“The preparation has gone to the letter,” said Bridgman. “From the moment we saddled her up you knew she was in for a big run. She presented looking magnificent and credit to the team down here; Lance Robinson doing the caretaking and Pam (Gerard) since she arrived down here recently.

“She never looked like she was going to be beaten from the moment the barriers opened. She flew the gates, wanted to be there and when she presented into the open at the 600m she just went whoosh. She wanted to run and Matt (Cameron) said she just cruised up.

Consistent without winning since a course/distance victory during cup week last November at Riccarton, Viana had indicated in resuming runs to have come back considerably stronger as a five-year-old and following her fifth win she appears capable of more.

“We have optimism that she can still go forward off this, as mares can do when they hit form,” said Bridgman. “We might put in a nomination for the Metropolitan Handicap (Listed, 2500m) during cup week, given the form she's in right now and there could also be options of the Wanganui, and Manawatu Cup as well.

Although purchased cheaply, Viana has the kind of pedigree that will draw attention when she comes of breeding age. Te Akau Principal David Ellis paid only $32,500 at the 2010 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud, and he shares in the ownership with his wife Karyn Fenton-Ellis and Cheviot farmer Jonny Orr.

“I'm over the moon,” said part-owner Jonny Orr. “I was hoping she could get some black type today and although not really expecting it she looked a picture before the start, was relaxed and looked the best I've seen her. And she won like that.

“I don't get down to every race, but a stakes race I wouldn't miss,” said Orr. “It great for David (Ellis) and Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) and all concerned, and after a fantastic ride she is a really commercial broodmare prospect now.

Her older sister half-sister C'mon Cuba (Thorn Park), a winner of three races, finished third in the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m), while her grand-dam, Melora (Sir Tristram) impressed winning up to 2020 metres and included a third and second, respectively, in the Queensland Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) and Queensland Derby (Gr.1, 2400m earnings.). Melora also won the Hollindale Cup (Gr. 2, 1800m) in a career that netted her $426,521 in stakes.

At stud, Melora has left six-time winner Denton (Montjeu), while the half-brother to Melora, Piper Star (Kaapstad) was a highly talented galloper from the mare Te Akau Star (Shining Finish), the winner of five races up to a mile.

“I'm on the road heading home with the silver salver and a rosary of flowers and other things, so it's great,” said Orr. “She was glistening in the sun today and the team had her absolutely spot on. She's peaked in her maturity and if we can keep her fit and sound, then who knows? She came into this at the right weight, at the right time, and got the chocolates.”

Picture credit - www.raceimages.net.nz

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