Our Aussie Girls

Te Akau assistant trainer Pam Gerard is currently preparing New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Costa Viva (Encosta De Lago) and stable-mate Precious Time (Stravinsky) at the Deagon Training Centre in Brisbane.

“It's pretty quiet at Deagon and they have settled in really well,” said Gerard. “They have a sand track and we can gallop on the grass when we need too.”

Two days after arriving, the 1000 Guineas winner (Gr. 1, 1600m) Costa Viva contested the Gold Coast Guineas (Gr. 3, 1200m) on Heavy8 at the Gold Coast Turf Club. From barrier twelve of thirteen, with Vinnie Colgan in the saddle, she was second last to jump away and tracked up seven lengths off the pacemaker at the 600 metres. Facing a clump of runners, and still a similar margin from the lead a furlong out, she closed solidly late in the piece to finish 1.6 lengths from the winner in fourth.

“Costa Viva has had a trip and race and therefore a pretty quiet week in training but this morning she pricked her ears and had a little shy,” said Gerard. “I'm pretty happy with her; she looks terrific and eating well.”

Costa Viva is targeting the $350,000 Queensland Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 31 May at Eagle Farm and all going well the Tattersalls Tiara (Gr. 1, 1400m), a $500,000 weight-for-age race for fillies and mares on 17 June also at Eagle Farm.

From the family of the stallions Grosvenor (Sir Tristram), Lonhro (Octagonal), Niello (Octagonal) and talented mare La Sizeranne (Stravinsky), Precious Time is undertaking a quest in the remainder of her racing career before visiting Redoute's Choice (Danehill) early in the new season.

This decision was made on the back of recent Ozzie sprint sensation Lankan Rupee (Redoute's Choice) converting a hat-trick of wins in the Oakleigh Plate (Gr. 1, 1100m), Newmarket Handicap (Gr. 1, 1200m) and T J Smith Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m). Lankan Rupee, the winner of nine races from sixteen starts and $2.8m in prize money, is from Estelle Collection (Stravinsky - Ana Zeel) who is a sister to Precious Time.

Her dam Ana Zeel (Zabeel) was Group placed on a couple of occasions in a career of three wins (1900m - 2170m) and Precious Time has won four times to 2200 metres.
Precious Time, with Colgan aboard, impressed when finishing a close second in a trial yesterday 8 May over 1200 metres at Deagon and is now scheduled to kick off in the Class 4 1800 metres next Thursday 15 May at the Gold Coast.

“The track had a nice amount of give for the trial and she went awesomely. It was a super trial and she pulled up well this morning,” said Gerard. “And she gave Vinnie good confidence for the race next Thursday.

“It's a clean, tidy place (Brisbane), doesn't seem to be too busy and the two horses are really happy here.”