All Too Hard Filly Wins Listed Canterbury Belle

Media Release - Saturday September 16

Quality three-year-old filly Viva Vienna confirmed she will be a major contender for the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in November with another fighting victory in the feature event at Riccarton on Saturday, the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m).

Viva Vienna (left) storms home outside of Illicit Dreams to claim the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m). Photo: Ajay Berry (Race Images South)

Arch-rival Illicit Dreams was expected to provide the main opposition to the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained daughter of All Too Hard after the pair had waged a home straight war at their previous encounter at the venue a fortnight ago.

On that occasion Viva Vienna had led up with Illicit Dreams on her outer, however this time Illicit Dreams crossed to the lead from a wide barrier early on with Viva Vienna and Sam Weatherley stalking her from the trail.

Advertisement

Illicit Dreams kicked hard to establish a break at the 300m while Viva Vienna cleared traffic, but once in the clear she unwound powerfully to nab her nemesis in the final few bounds and remain unbeaten in two runs for this campaign.

“We knew she would jump well and put herself there, but we discussed having the option to take a sit and that was the winning of the race in the end,” Bergerson said.

“We got a breather in behind and then came off her (Illicit Dreams) back, so it was a really good ride.

“The query was if she would get a strong 1200m and she was very strong through the line so a good effort by a tough little filly.”

TAB Bookmakers reacted quickly as they tightened the Fixed Odds price of Viva Vienna into $12 for the 1000 Guineas, with Bergerson indicating that is her main spring goal.

“The 1000 Guineas is a lovely target for her if she stretches out to that distance,” he said.

“We will get her home and see how she does and then make a plan.”

Weatherly was also taken by the effort of his mount.

“They wanted to go a little quick for us early on and I took a sit to give her a chance to run out the 1200m strongly,” Weatherley said.

“The most encouraging part was the last little bit and she is doing everything right,

“She now has some black type behind her and I don’t see why she can’t push on from this.

“She settled well and attacked the line, so I’m thrilled for everyone involved.”

Purchased by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for $100,000 out of her breeder Westbury Stud’s Book 1 draft at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, Viva Vienna has now won three of her six career starts for owners, the Te Akau Empress Of Austria Racing Partnership.

All Too Hard, click for more info and a Hypo mating.

She is the 23rd stakes-winner for vinery Stud's perennial favourite All Too Hard and is the best of three winners from Snitzel mare Anna of Austria, a three-quarter sister to stakes-winner Milestone from stakes-winner Cannyanna . -LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Visit the profile page for All Too Hard

All Too Hard in upcoming sales:
Advertisment

Race Result - New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stks LR 1200m

Riccarton Park Track: Good(3) Time: 1:07.18
1
Viva Vienna
- 3f All Too Hard (AUS) x Anna Of Austria (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: S R Weatherley 56.5
All Too Hard
2
0.2
Illicit Dreams
- 3f Vancouver (AUS) x Illicit Romance (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: K Rae & K Williams Rdr: T L Newman 56.5
Vancouver
3
2.2
Warning Signal
- 3f U S Navy Flag (USA) x La Veuve (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: S Kennedy & A Furlong Rdr: K Chowdhoory 56.5
4
3.2
Rhetorical
- 3f Snitzel (AUS) x Xpression (NZ) (Showcasing (GB))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: W B Kennedy 56.5
5
5.7
Motiontime
- 3f Showtime (AUS) x Saldana (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: P D Harris Rdr: C R Barnes 56.5
6
5.8
Lady Sass
- 3f Staphanos (JPN) x Lady In Charge (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: K & A Tyler Rdr: Ms K Williams 56.5
7
6.3
Sugar
- 3f War Decree (USA) x Skite (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Ms T Rae Rdr: J Kamaruddin 56.5
8
7.4
Stolen Magic
- 3f Pierro (AUS) x Taqaareed (AUS) (Sepoy (AUS))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: K Asano 56.5
9
11.8
Mis Speaks
- 3f Spieth (NZ) x Indiscretions (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: M E Cunneen Rdr: B M Murray 56.5
10
16.0
Hot Coco
- 3f War Decree (USA) x Frothed (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: N Wigley & K Milnes Rdr: J J Fawcett 56.5
11
21.6
Amiinit
- 3f Eminent (IRE) x Exige (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: J C Blackadder Rdr: K R Hercock 56.5
More Reading...
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
Two heats at the Rosehill trials on Monday morning over 900m and the quickest of those was won by an expensive son of Golden Slipper winning first season sire Farnan.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Sires With Winners - Monday November 4
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
All Too Hard Filly Primed to Continue Te Akau Winning Run
Te Akau Racing will continue their southern spring assault at Riccarton on Saturday, where they have a number of leading chances.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
All Too Hard's Viva Vienna Living Up to Potential
The rise to prominence of Viva Vienna has been of no surprise to Westbury Stud general manager Russell Warwick, who formed a strong early opinion of the filly.