It
was a mere half head that denied Von Costa de Hero his place in Golden Slipper
history, the David Hayes trained colt letting loose with a late dash in the run
home after settling at the rear from the second outside gate in the 2008
edition of the world's richest juvenile contest.
As Sebring enjoyed a nice run midfield along the rails from a better gate, Von
Costa de Hero was spotting his high class rival several lengths coming into the
straight - having to swing wide to make his run.
The two went to the line locked together wide apart, the judge calling for the
photo. It was Sebring's day but Von Costa de Hero ran the race of his life!
Not that he was any one race wonder, the handsome son of champion stallion
Encosta de Lago having won, at just his third start, the Gr.2 Sires's Produce
Stakes at Flemington.
Taking a split through the field, Von Costa de Hero put on display his
impressive turn of foot to add his name to the honour roll of a race won by the
likes of Vain, Dual Choice, Storm Queen, Century, Desirable, Tolerance,
Imagele, Grosvenor, Kaapstad and Testa Rossa.
"I've got a very high opinion of him," David Hayes declared after
that race, "and I rate him right up there with my Blue Diamond
quinella."
Admitting that Von Costa de Hero's "pretty long and arduous autumn as a
two-year-old" had long term effects on the horse, Hayes was disappointed
did not win another race but the signs were still there with some great runs in
high class company.
Such as game thirds in the Gr.3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude and the Gr.1
Caulfield Guineas won by Whobegotyou, a close up fourth in Northern Meteor's
Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, a gallant third against the older sprinters in the
Gr.2 Norman Carlyon Stakes and a late charging second in the Gr.1 Australian
Guineas won by Heart Of Dreams.
Retiring to stud as the winner of over $1.1 million in stakes, Von Costa de
Hero has many fans amongst owner/breeders and he has made a great start to this
season with his progeny winning 11 races since the start of August.
Of those winners, three are four-year-olds; the rest older - showing that like
the Encosta de Lago line in general, the breed just get better and better as
they mature. And they have longevity which all owner/breeders aim for!
Von Costa de Hero's first crop of now seven-year-olds produced 33 winners from
54 runners - a 61.1% winners-to-runners strike rate. There have been 21 winners
from his 35 second crop runners showing that good things come to those who
wait.
Typical of the Encosta de Lago breed in that he has strength and style, Von
Costa de Hero was an eye-catcher from the start - connections laying down $1.2
million to secure him at the 2007 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
A son of the terrific mare Piavonic who is best remembered for upsetting
Sunline in the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes, Von Costa de Hero hails from a classy and
consistent Victorian family whose members include the stakes winners Doppio,
Emlozza, Mio Dio, Bellonic, Bel Thor, Dark Rhythm, Raise A Rhythm, Oamaru
Rhythm and Bira.
Described by Riverbank Farm's Russell Osborne as "fantastic to deal
with," Von Costa de Hero - one of his now retired sire's 114 stakes
winners - stands at a great value fee of $2200.