Michael Costa will be chasing back-yo-back wins with Viaductress on Wednesday.
PUNTERS can expect an improved Viaductress to strut her stuff at Canterbury on Wednesday, although trainer Michael Costa has just one concern for his last-start winner.
The daughter of Sharkbite sat three wide with cover but proved too good in the run home when posting a 1200m win at Warwick Farm on April 13.
She was coming off a close-up fourth at Kembla Grange and Costa says the progression Viaductress showed between those two starts has been replicated before Wednesday’s Schweppes Handicap (1250m).
“We went into that first-up run at Kembla without a trial and expected her to improve,??? he said. “She had 21 days between runs and then won at Warwick Farm, which indicated what we thought going into the race — that she had taken the next step.
“And she’s done that again going into this race.???
Viaductress faces a slightly different equation on Wednesday than she encountered a fortnight ago at Warwick Farm.
“I’m worried about barrier 10 with the rail out six metres,??? Costa said. “Sitting wide from the sprint starts at Warwick Farm isn’t really an issue because there’s only one bend but Canterbury is not a track that you want to be covering ground on.???
The trainer found a positive that he feels could offset the wide gate and it extends beyond Koby Jennings’ 3kg claim.
“That will help because otherwise she was jumping 5.5kg in weight whereas after Koby’s claim she will only carry an extra 2.5kg,??? he said. “What she does have in her favour is race fitness. A few of her rivals here are first-up and probably not quite at their peak.
“If she’s made to work from a wide gate it’s not ideal for us but I reckon it’s not ideal for horses that aren’t fit because it’s hard to win over 1250m fresh when the speed is on.???
But Costa doesn’t think Viaductress has to lead anyway and says he will be telling Jennings to keep the filly in her comfort zone.
“She’s got a nice turn of foot and even though she’s led in some of her races, I would be quite happy for her to take a sit like she did last start,??? he said. “We’ll be positive out of the barriers as she has good gate speed and then it will be up to Koby to decide where she is best placed.???