Viadana Sprints to Second Group 1 Victory

Matamata mare Viadana (NZ) (Towkay) became a dual Group 1 winner with success in the Group 1 $200,000 NRM Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Viadana (NZ) successful in the Group 1 NRM Sprint at Te Rapa. Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell.

Last year’s Group 1 Easter Handicap victor was dropping back to 1400m having finished fourth at her last start over 2000m in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic on Boxing Day at Ellerslie for trainer Lance Noble.

Starting from barrier 7 for rider Craig Grylls, who also achieved his second career Group 1 win, the mare by Towkay settled mid-field and enjoyed an economical run. The field packed up corning for the run home and all drifted away from the rails.

Grylls elected to stay the closest to the rails and that proved the winning of the race as Viadana sprinted quickly to open up a gap on the field. Strong finishes came late from Sacred Star (Flying Spur) and Diademe (NZ) (Savabeel) but Viadana was able to hang on to win by a long head from Sacred Star with Diademe a further head away.

“She goes really well fresh, she won over 1200m fresh this time in the Listed Lion Red Plate at Rotorua and I was happy that she had freshened up well,” commented Noble. “It was a good field on Saturday, ability wise I was thought she could win it but I wasn’t confident.

“She is very, very honest – looking at her record she has won nine races and has always raced in good quality races, she is a high-class mare.

“Her main goal is the Haunui Classic, a weight-for-age mile. I thought that was a winnable race for her as a mile is her best distance. I thought whatever she did on Saturday there would be improvement in her which all bodes well for Otaki hopefully.

“Australia is a possibility afterwards, it is something to be decided with her owners if she was to win or go close at Otaki. You don’t often get a horse good enough to go over there and I think she is good enough for some of those fillies and mares races over there.

“My wife Leigh syndicates the horses, and fillies at the Select Sale level are good value. They are great for syndicates because if you win a trial you don’t have everyone trying to buy them which can get tricky sometimes with syndicates. We have hit the jackpot with her and she has that residual value as a breeding prospect when she is retired.”

Viadana has been consistent throughout her career, winning nine races and placing eight times from 26 starts to earn $488,325 for her owners Easdon No. 4 Racing Syndicate (Manager Mrs L G Noble).

Bred by Little Avondale Trust, the six-year-old mare is out of winning mare Yeah Nah (Kinjite) who is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Singing Star (Danasinga) and stakes performers Brave Flyer (Danasinga) and Written by Queen (Masterclass).

Lance Noble and his wife Leigh purchased the horse at the 2009 Karaka Select Sale for $25,000 from Little Avondale Stud.