Blinkered Approach

Jason Bridgman is taking a blinkered approach to Saturday's Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton.

All his attention has been focussed on Spellbinder (pictured) and Costa Viva, the Matamata stable's two in-form candidates for the New Zealand Bloodstock-sponsored classic.

“You can't be worried about the competition and we just have to get our two there in the best possible shape that we can,” Bridgman said.

“Spellbinder ran a top race in the Sarten and obviously Bounding was too slick, but our filly was finding the line well enough to suggest she will run the mile out strongly.

“She will be suited to a big galloping track like Riccarton and all she probably needs is a shower of rain. She's ready to make the step up.”

Spellbinder was a stylish first-up maiden winner at Taupo and then streeted her rivals by six and a-half lengths in the Listed Soliloquy Stakes at Ellerslie before she finished second in the Gr.3 Sarten Memorial.

“She won the Soliloquy on a Slow 9 over 1400 metres and she ran that (1400m) out strongly,” Bridgman said. “She's got a big, beautiful action and Matt (Cameron) has chosen to ride her over Costa Viva.”

To be ridden by Leith Innes, Costa Viva has also won two of her three starts, including the Listed Ray Coupland Stakes, and ran Bounding to three-quarters of a length when runner-up in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes.

“The biggest question mark will be whether she runs the mile - her pedigree suggests she should, but she's quite speedy,” Bridgman said.

“Having said that, she has run her races out strongly and I expect no different on Saturday. She's a very good chance.”

NZ Racing Desk