Te Akau Strengthens Classics' Hand

The Informant's Dennis Ryan reports:

Jason Bridgman strengthened his hand for next month's Riccarton classics when he claimed the first two placings with Costa Viva and Chambord in the Listed Ray Coupland Stakes at Ashburton on Saturday.

Costa Viva, who had followed her debut win with a second to Bounding in the Gr. 3 Gold Trail Stakes at her only subsequent start, lived right up to her $1.60 odds in today's 1400-metre feature. After camping on the leaders' heels, Matt Cameron eased her out on the point of the turn and in a matter of strides the race was won.

Stablemate Chambord came with a wet sail over the final stages and although he never looked like overhauling the favourite, the Zabeel gelding's effort was still impressive from a Sothys New Zealand 2000 Guineas perspective.

Bridgman's leading New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas prospect is the O'Reilly filly Spellbinder, who remains unbeaten after three trials and two races, the most recent of them a demolition job in the Listed Soliloquy Stakes.

Costa Viva is on the third line at $8 on the TAB's fixed odds market for the 1000 Guineas, with Bounding and Spellbinder equal on $4 and Fantastic Honour at $6.

Both Costa Viva and Chambord will not run again before their Riccarton targets, with Bridgman crossing his fingers that Chambord gains a start in the 2000 Guineas on November 9.

"He's only a one-win horse and hopefully he'll get enough points from today's run to lift his rating," Bridgman said. "It was very good effort for a horse with it all in front of him, so here's hoping.

"The filly's run was just what we were looking for and that sets her up nicely for the 1000 Guineas."

Bridgman has the James & Annie Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa in mind for Spellbinder's final start before Riccarton but plans around his two 2000 Guineas entries All Decked Out and King's Rock are less clear.

"I had the Wellington Guineas next Saturday as their final run on the way down to Riccarton but the Trentham track's still heavy there and the forecast is ordinary.

"That being the case I'm likely to send All Decked Out straight to Riccarton for the Canterbury Stakes next Saturday and King's Rock will probably start in the Rating 65 1600 at Te Rapa on the same day as the Sarten."

Credit - The Informant & picture Race Images South