Select Sale Double Stakes Victory

On the same day that Karaka Select Sale graduate Sacred Park delivered a Group 2 win for Raffles Racing, North Island trainer Jason Bridgman also enjoyed southern success with Viana (NZ) (Volksraad) when she prevailed in the Listed $50,000 Christchurch Casino Spring Classic (2000m) at Riccarton.

Viana (NZ) winning the Listed Christchurch Casino Spring Classic at Riccarton.

The five-year-old mare has been campaigning in the South Island this preparation, running sound races over shorter journeys in three lead-up races but clearly appreciated the step up to 2000m.

The daughter of Volksraad drew the coveted barrier one on a blustering day in Christchurch, allowing stable rider Matthew Cameron to get cover during the early part of the race as the pair settled mid-field on a Good 3 surface.

As the field approached the turn, Viana travelled easily to stride to the front at the top of the straight with Cameron yet to release the brakes. Challenges came from inside and out but Viana always looked to have the race at her mercy.

The Te Akau Racing runner drifted towards the centre of the track in the straight and second place Alpine Heights (Spartacus) rallied on the inside but Viana was not to be denied winning by a neck on the line.

“She has won twice over the distance now and she was set for this race from the outset,” stated Jason Bridgman.

“I think she is more of a middle distance horse rather than an out and out stayer - she has won from 1400m through to 2000m.

“We tried her a couple of times last year over 2400m and 2500m but she battled to round off her races. There is a chance she may run 2300m or 2400m out but that will likely be after five or six runs under her belt.

“The immediate thought was to go to the Metropolitan Handicap but that is a 2500m and we think that is possibly not the right race.

“The track was very firm there on Saturday and all of the horses came out of it quite jarred up. She certainly felt the effects of the track even though she needs good tracks so I think the turnaround of two weeks is out of the question.

“She might have a run on the last day of the Christchurch carnival, maybe back in her own grade or a open handicap over 1800m or 2000m. She may then go to the Wanganui Cup and Manawatu Cup and she also holds a nomination for the Counties Cup.

“The key with her is she is true Volksraad and needs good ground to show her best, good and dead is her best footing.”

It was the Karaka Select Sale graduate’s fifth raceday success and first at stakes level, now earning her owners David Ellis, Karyn Fenton-Ellis and J R Orr $78,375 in prizemoney.

The daughter of eight-time Champion New Zealand sire Volksraad is a half-sister to another stakes performer in C’Mon Cuba (Thorn Park) and is a granddaughter of Group 2 winner Melora (Sir Tristram.

Bred by Windsor Park Stud, Viana was purchased by David Ellis at the 2010 Karaka Select Sale for a modest $32,500 from her breeders.