Viva La Viva

Costa Viva (3 f Encosta De Lago - Vivacious Spirit, by Bel Esprit) became the seventh Guineas winner for Te Akau in the past ten years when she capitalized on a brilliant ride to win the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on Saturday, Nov. 16, at Riccarton.

Winner of the Ray Coupland Stakes (Listed, 1400m) in race record time at her previous start, after finishing second in the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) prior, also run in record time, Costa Viva took her earnings to $231,185 for owners Dave & Nicky Hurst, Ray & Jan Batten, and Diane Ford.

She was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $100,000 at the 2012 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale and presented in magnificent condition for the contest.

“It's an anxious sort of day, hatched plans from a long way back and for it to come off on the day is really exciting,” said Te Akau trainer Jason Bridgman, who also had talented stable-mate Spellbinder (O'Reilly) finish third in the race.

“She (Spellbinder) stuck on really well on a track that was probably against her today, it just shows how much courage she has. You'll see her at 2000 metres around Christmas at Ellerslie, and she is a special filly,” said Bridgman.

With game tactics from the outset considered pertinent to the end result, Costa Viva was not only put into a beautiful position by rider Leith Innes but she managed to post the hot favourite, Bounding (Lonhro), three wide in the process. Settling sweetly between runners in fifth, she stood the leader four lengths at the 600 metres, peeled to the outside of Bounding at the 350 metres and once asked for her best at the 200m she put the race away to score comfortably.

Costa Viva beat Bounding by ¾ lengths, with 2 ¼ lengths to Spellbinder. Costa Viva clocked 1:35.4 for the mile, last 600m in 34.4, and paid $6.20 & $1.60 on the NZ TAB.

“It was exciting with the build up to the start and the sensation of Bounding caught deep,” said Bridgman. “When Leith (Innes) was in that situation he summed things up really well, staying in the pocket, knowing that Bounding would be vulnerable late and he would get the last shot, so it was a lovely ride.

“She's a terrific filly, the race really panned out well for her with a bit of early tempo and the unfortunate circumstance of Bounding being caught a bit deep and Leith ended up in a lovely spot. He knew what was going on and he executed the ride perfectly.

“This filly (Costa Viva) has done absolutely nothing wrong and her form line is impeccable at just her fourth race day start. She didn't get broken in until June as a two-year-old, so it's an outstanding effort.

“It's really satisfying for the whole team; it's a huge team effort,” said Bridgman. “I have to extend special thanks to my assistant trainer, Pam Gerard, who has been based down here (Riccarton) for over a month, away from her family, and she has done a sterling job to produce three stakes winners and a second in the 2000 Guineas while she's here.

Bridgman said the logical move for the filly was to follow the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, which currently has Costa Viva at the head with 15 points, Bounding (13), and Spellbinder (7.5).

Having won the race previously in 1999 aboard Ad Alta (Kenfair), Leith Innes was thrilled with the victory. “She's a game filly, really top class,” said Innes, of Costa Viva. “I had a race plan and I thought there would be a bit of tempo, so I wanted to ride her quiet. I got the last run at them and to her credit she's a pretty classy filly. I always had the drop on Bounding, and full credit to Jason (Bridgman) and all his staff.

Te Akau 1000 Guineas winners:

Costa Viva (Encosta De Lago) 2013

King's Rose (Redoute's Choice) 2010

Insouciant (Keeper) 2007

Te Akau 2000 Guineas winners:

Rock ‘n' Pop (Fastnet Rock) 2011

Tell A Tale (Tale of the Cat) 2008

Darci Brahma (Danehill) 2005

King's Chapel (King of Kings) 2003

Photo credits - www.raceimages.co.nz

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