Filly to Take Flight

Group One-winning filly Costa Viva this week boosted her chances of a visit to the Queensland winter carnival.

The newly crowned NZB Filly of the Year, Costa Viva returned from an injury-forced break to compete at the Te Awamutu trials yesterday and scored an impressive win in an open 1000-metre heat.

“At this stage we're finalising plans whether she campaigns in Brisbane and it's looking quite likely,” trainer Jason Bridgman said.

The A$500,000 Gr. 1 Winter Stakes (1400m) for fillies and mares to be run under weight-for-age conditions at Eagle Farm on June 21 would be the prime target for the smart three-year-old if she performed up to expectations in lead-up events.

Winner of the Gr.1 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas at Riccarton in the spring, Costa Viva finished runner-up to Hera at Ellerslie on Boxing Day in the Gr. 2 Eight Carat Classic. But the daughter of Encosta de Lago hasn't raced since she headed south to Wellington a month later to run third in the Gr. 2 Desert Gold Stakes.

“She had a foot complaint after the Desert Gold which caused her to perform below her best,” Bridgman said.

“She was quite lame so we turned her out and she's come back and she pulled up well after her trial.”

Ironically Costa Viva will return to where it all began - she was purchased by David Ellis at the Gold Coast Sale and has from day one shown Te Akau to be something special.

"I am returning to the Gold Coast Sale this year again - and it has been a happy hunting ground for me with purchases such as Group 1 winners Princess Coup, Tell A Tale and Costa Viva as well as Group 1 performers Integrate and Minstrel Court," said David Ellis.

"I intend to buy some more top class yearlings this year for our owners."

Meanwhile, stablemate and fellow three-year-old Angelica Hall was a victim of circumstances when runner-up last time and is primed to go one better in Saturday's Gr. 3 Cambridge Jockey Club Breeders' Stakes at Te Rapa.

“She got beaten at Awapuni where she flew the gates and nothing else wanted to lead,” Bridgman said.

Runner-up to Bounding two runs back in the Gr. 3 Mr Tiz Trophy, Angelica Hall is better ridden off the pace as she showed with wins at her first two starts at Matamata and Ellerslie.

“She's back to 1200 metres on Saturday and I think she'll be right back to her best form,” Bridgman said.

Credit - The Informant and Te Akau