Tiara Tilt

The NZ Racing Desk reports:

Jason Bridgman is hoping to strike Australian gold with Group One-winning filly Costa Viva this weekend.

The Matamata trainer will produce the 1000 Guineas winner in Saturday's Gr. 1 Tattersall's Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm, hoping the Encosta De Lago filly can avoid the bad luck that has plagued her first two runs in Brisbane.

Costa Viva finished fourth in last month's Gr. 3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) from a wide draw before she was again thwarted by a wide draw when ninth in the Gr. 2 Queensland Guineas (1400m) at Eagle Farm.

"She's come through that race really well. She just had no luck," Bridgman lamented.

"From barrier 16, she just couldn't get in and was four-wide the trip but still ran on well enough to only get beaten two lengths. Over there, if you don't get in, it's hard to figure.

"Again, she's got an awkward draw this weekend [barrier 13 of 16]. She just hasn't had luck with the draws. We'll just have to ride her for luck and if she gets luck, she'll be a very good chance. If she doesn't, she can't win."

Costa Viva is a $26 outsider leading into the final Group One race of the Australian season but while Bridgman acknowledges his filly faces a step up in class, he's not ruling her out of causing an upset.

"Her run in the Queensland Guineas was massive. If she'd drawn a barrier, she could have won that race and if she'd won that race, she'd be one of the favourites for this one," he said.

"If she can get in, one-off midfield or even three wide with cover, I honestly think she's a first-four chance."

Costa Viva, who will have the services of Brisbane-based Kiwi jockey Vinnie Colgan, will return to New Zealand on Monday and spell ahead of possible tilts at the Gr. 1 Railway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie and the Gr. 1 Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Trentham in January.

Bridgman would love to see her returning home as a dual Group One winner.

"She's in peak condition for this one. I couldn't be any happier with her," Bridgman said.

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained. She's got the form on the board at home and we wanted to try and enhance her value by tackling black-type races in Australia.

"We've gone prospecting and even if nothing comes of it, she'll come back home a better racehorse. But unless you've got your pan in the water, you're not going to strike gold."

Meanwhile, the Bridgman-trained Precious Time will have possibly her final race before she is retired to stud in Sunday's A$33,000 Murwillumbah Cup (2020m), with Colgan booked to ride. - NZ Racing Desk