Te Akau Strikes Early in Southern Filly Series

 

NZ Bloodstock reports:

 

Just like they did in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year opener seven days earlier, powerhouse syndicators Te Akau Racing have swept to an early lead in the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series.

Their distinctive tangerine colours were carried by Viva Vienna (NZ) (All Too Hard) to a thrilling victory in Saturday’s first leg, the $80,000 Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton. She followed the example set by stablemate Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award), who won the Group Three Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) the previous weekend to top the NZB Filly of the Year standings.

Viva Vienna brought standout credentials into Saturday’s Canterbury Belle Stakes. She had won twice as a two-year-old, beating the likes of Karaka Million placegetter Ethereal Star (Snitzel) in the process, and she was runner-up behind Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day.

Viva Vienna made a big statement in her first appearance as a three-year-old, beating the stakes winner Illicit Dreams (NZ) (Vancouver) over 1000 metres at Riccarton on September 2.

 

 

Two weeks later, those two fillies returned for a superb rematch in the Canterbury Belle. Illicit Dreams threw down the gauntlet, leading all the way and kicking hard at the top of the straight, but Viva Vienna and jockey Sam Weatherley weaved through a gap one off the rail and got out to give chase.

After a desperate duel through the final 150 metres, Viva Vienna gradually took the upper hand and hit the finish line a half-neck in front. Illicit Dreams took second by a comfortable margin of two lengths, with the lightly raced local Warning Signal (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) producing an eye-catching late run into third.

“They wanted to go a little quick for us early on, and I took a sit to give her a chance to run out the 1200 metres strongly,” Weatherley said. “The most encouraging part was the last little bit and she is doing everything right.

“She now has some black type behind her, and I don’t see why she can’t push on from this. She settled well and attacked the line, so I’m thrilled for everyone involved.”

Trained by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, Viva Vienna has now had seven starts for four wins and two placings. She has earned $118,775 in prize-money for her owners, the Te Akau Empress Of Austria Racing Partnership. Viva Vienna was bought by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $100,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2022.

“We knew she would jump well and put herself there, but we discussed having the option to take a sit, and that was the winning of the race in the end,” Bergerson said. “We got a breather in behind Illicit Dreams and then came off her back, so it was a really good ride.

“The query was if she would get a strong 1200 metres. She was very strong through the line, so it was a good effort by a tough little filly.

“If she can stretch out to 1600 metres, the 1000 Guineas could be a lovely target for her. We will get her home and see how she does and then make a plan.”

Viva Vienna now tops the Southern Filly standings with 7 points. Illicit Dreams earned 4 points with her runner-up finish, while Warning Signal collected 2 points.

The Southern Filly now goes on a spring and summer hiatus before resuming in the autumn with the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui on March 2.

Vendor	Westbury Stud
Purchaser	Mr DC Ellis (Te Akau)
Breeding	All Too Hard – Anna Of Austria
Sale	Lot 89, Karaka 2022 Book 1, $100,000
Bred by	G Harvey

 

NZ Racing News also reports:

 

Quality three-year-old filly Viva Vienna (NZ) (All Too Hard) confirmed she will be a major contender for the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in November with another fighting victory in the feature event at Riccarton on Saturday, the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m).

Arch-rival Illicit Dreams (NZ) (Vancouver) was expected to provide the main opposition to the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained daughter of All Too Hard after the pair had waged a home straight war at their previous encounter at the venue a fortnight ago.

On that occasion Viva Vienna had led up with Illicit Dreams on her outer, however this time Illicit Dreams crossed to the lead from a wide barrier early on with Viva Vienna and Sam Weatherley stalking her from the trail.

Illicit Dreams kicked hard to establish a break at the 300m while Viva Vienna cleared traffic, but once in the clear she unwound powerfully to nab her nemesis in the final few bounds and remain unbeaten in two runs for this campaign.

“We knew she would jump well and put herself there, but we discussed having the option to take a sit and that was the winning of the race in the end,” Bergerson said.

“We got a breather in behind and then came off her (Illicit Dreams) back, so it was a really good ride.

“The query was if she would get a strong 1200m and she was very strong through the line so a good effort by a tough little filly.”

 

 

TAB Bookmakers reacted quickly as they tightened the Fixed Odds price of Viva Vienna into $12 for the 1000 Guineas, with Bergerson indicating that is her main spring goal.

“The 1000 Guineas is a lovely target for her if she stretches out to that distance,” he said.

“We will get her home and see how she does and then make a plan.”

Weatherly was also taken by the effort of his mount.

“They wanted to go a little quick for us early on and I took a sit to give her a chance to run out the 1200m strongly,” Weatherley said.

“The most encouraging part was the last little bit and she is doing everything right,

“She now has some black-type behind her and I don’t see why she can’t push on from this.

“She settled well and attacked the line, so I’m thrilled for everyone involved.”

Purchased by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for $100,000 out of her breeder Westbury Stud’s Book 1 draft at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, Viva Vienna has now won three of her six career starts for owners, the Te Akau Empress Of Austria Racing Partnership.

 

 

Back