Connections of Group 1 winning New Zealand filly Costa Viva have revealed plans to run in the Tattersall’s Tiara 2014 next month following her efforts in this Saturday’s $350,000 Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1400m).
Gold Coast Guineas winner Dothraki (pictured) is one of Costa Viva's main Queensland Guineas 2014 dangers. Photo: Daniel Costello.
Prepared by Jason Bridgman at Matamata, Encosta De Lago three-year-old Costa Viva has finished top three in all but one of her seven career starts to date.
Winner of the Group 1 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton Park in a strong effort last November, the nicely-bred filly’s only loss so far came in her Australian debut on May 3.
After three months out of racing she travelled down under for a first-up bid in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) run on a Heavy (8) track.
From a wide barrier (12 of 13) and without even an Aussie trial, Costa Viva was far from disgraced then when beaten just one and a half lengths by Dothraki.
“It was a really good effort to make up that ground after she was caught up in a clump of horses,” Te Akau stable manager Jeff Dore told NZ Racing Desk.
“She raced pretty quickly after she got there after the plane was delayed on the tarmac as well.”
This weekend she heads to Brisbane for a shot at the 2014 Queensland Guineas over the Eagle Farm mile.
She’ll get a firmer track, more space at the Farm and is also set to appreciate the step back up to the 1600m that she won her Group 1 over at home.
“Pam (Gerrard – assistant trainer) has been very happy,” Dore added.
“She said Costa Viva is really blossoming over there.”
Costa Viva also gets the chance to turn the tables on the Gerald Ryan-trained Gold Coast Guineas winner Dothraki who is another Queensland Oaks Day hope.
Following their Gold Coast victory the Mossman colt raced again at Doomben on May 17 and ran third behind fellow Queensland Guineas nominees Havana (1st) and Into The Red (2nd) in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m).
So long as all goes well on Saturday and the filly comes through the Guineas well, plans are to continue in Brisbane with Costa Viva who will be entered for the $500,000 Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) back at Eagle Farm Racecourse on June 21.
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