Sophie a Rising Star

An impressive looking individual with a lovely nature, Vive La Difference (2 f Choisir - L'Artiste, by Peintre Celebre) has matched her appearance with talent in the early stages of her career.

Bought by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $67,500 at the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm, and now with the stable name Sophie, she impressed Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker at the time of purchase.

“She is a cracking filly,” said Walker. “She oozes class, is very sleek on the walk and her sire, Choisir (Danehill Dancer), was a magnificent sprinter that has been highly successful at stud. We can see this filly trialling early in her career, while also having the scope to train on at three and four."

Right was Walker in the ability of Vive La Difference to show up at early trials, for in her first outing, over 600 metres at Te Teko, she came from off the pace with a strong finish for third to recent impressive winner Purcentage (Onemorenomore).

Back in the fray to exude a good turn of foot when trialling in March over 800 metres at Rotorua, she debuted soon after in a Maiden 2YO 1100 metres at Matamata. Where, working into midfield from a wide gate she rounded off solidly, displaying a good action and stretch, for sixth in what was a creditable performance.

Trainer Jason Bridgman elected to then give her a two month spell and back in work since mid-June she has furnished nicely into a sizeable frame and remains on target to trial on Aug. 5 at Te Teko. Click on this link to see her recent trackwork:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm_L-YVdS2I

On the influential female side, her dam, L'Artiste (Peintre Celebre), recorded wins over 1600 and 2000 metres with give in the ground through the autumn months in Melbourne. Emulating the feats of her dam, Glittering Girl (Marscay), who scored over a mile as a two-year-old and recorded four wins over 1600 metres on yielding turf between the months of March and June.

While Choisir (Danehill Dancer) was a Group One winning sprinter in both hemispheres, he has shown his versatility in leaving Historian, Group One winner of the weight-for-age Zabeel Classic over 2000 metres.

With the physical makeup to get over ground, and the pattern of success on her dam-side, Vive La Difference could likely show her owners that whatever she accomplishes through the spring could be topped as an autumn three-year-old.

She is pictured closest to the camera by Stacey Bridgman - with Matt Cameron aboard - Matt's partner Blair is also a proud part owner of Sophie.