With the Flemington Carnival ending, our desire to contest the very best races around the world remains. While attention for many will turn to Caulfield this Saturday for the G1 Thousand Guineas and G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, our focus will move to New Zealand’s South Island and the racetrack at Riccarton, Christchurch – home of NZ’s version of the G1 1000 Guineas for 3-year-old fillies. There, we will see in OTI colours for the first time, the exciting daughter of Ribchester named Costae.
Trained by Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray at Cambridge (North Island), Costae is yet to miss a placing from her four career starts, winning her last two. Strong educational placings on the Cambridge Synthetic surface in August were followed by a dominant maiden victory at Awapuni in October. In a small field, Costae streeted her rivals by 4.5 lengths, following which she entered Guineas calculations.
Costae wins at Awapuni (black and white silks, black cap with stars, leading)
Racing on Melbourne Cup Day in Auckland, Costae proved her maiden victory was no fluke. She was again most impressive, winning a Premier Handicap by a length and, in doing so, surging up the markets for the valuable Group 1 on Saturday November 16.
Costae wins at Auckland on Melbourne Cup Day (black and white silks, black cap with stars)
In Saturday’s Group 1 assignment, Costae will have each-way claims in what is undoubtedly her toughest test to date. Highest in the market are Alabama Lass (last start Group 2 winner) and Captured By Love (multiple placings at Group 2 and 3 level), with Kitty Flash (2nd to Alabama Lass last start) another leading contender. While it will not be a full field, it will be one of high quality.
Saturday’s effort will dictate to some degree the next steps in the career of Costae. Options are to remain with Shaune and Colm for summer/autumn racing (Karaka Millions/NZB Kiwi) or to contest stakes races in Australia. What we do know is that her career is just beginning, and we believe she can take us to the top level of fillies and mares racing in Australasia.