All Too Hard filly Viva Vienna served notice she’s on the verge of Group 1 victory for Te Akau Racing with an odds-on victory in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (LR, 1200m) at Riccarton.

Viva Vienna became the 23rd individual black-type winner for the Vinery Stud stallion on Saturday before firming into $12 for the NZ 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) at Riccarton on November 18.  “The 1000 Guineas is a lovely target for her,” Te Akau co-trainer Sam Bergerson said.  “She’s a tough filly and we will see how she does and then make a plan.

“We were really happy with her work on Tuesday morning and drawing an inside rail today was a bonus.  We knew she would jump well so we discussed the option of taking a sit and that’s what won the race.

“She got a breather and then came off the back of Illicit Dreams.  She was very strong through the line and it was a very good effort at the end of 1200m.”

Viva Vienna (3f All Too Hard – Anna Of Austria by Snitzel) had won on debut at Te Rapa last November and was runner-up to subsequent Karaka 2YO Millions (RL, 1200m) winner Tokyo Tycoon (Satono Aladdin) on Boxing Day.

She was bred and sold by Westbury Stud for $100,000 to Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis at the 2022 NZB Yearling Sale at Karaka.  All Too Hard crosses with Snitzel mares at an 82% winning strike-rate and his Kiwi filly is from a three-quarter sister to Geelong Classic (LR, 2200m) winner Milestone (Redoute’s Choice).

Ellis purchased another All Too Hard for $160,000 at the Gold Coast Magic Millions in January.  The filly out of Moonchild (Charge Forward) has been named Dream Of The Moon and she was runner-up in 2yo barrier trials at Te Awamutu and Te Rapa last month.

All Too Hard stayer Montepulciano has been a revelation for trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly since stretching out over 1600m and further this time last year.  A Gawler maiden was the only win in his first 22 starts compared to Saturday’s Fleurieu Milk Hcp (2051m) which was his fourth in the last twelve months.

The benefits of spelling at the Kuipto Forrest property of Kayla Crowther and her partner Tommy Stokes were also evident when he shouldered 60kg for a last-to-first victory over stablemate Does It (NZ) at Morphettville.

“He’s furnishing into a nice stayer,” Crowther said.  “He used to take control but is much easier to partner these days.  They slowed and bunched on the corner so we were forced wide and it meant he had to sustain a long run down the straight.

“He deserved to be knocking up at the finish but he’s a clean-winded horse and held them off at the finish.”

Montepulciano’s dam Tendue (General Nediym) also foaled the Bianconi full-brothers Alcohol and Alcobro who combined to win 10 races and $500,000 for Richard Jolly.  He was bred and sold by Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm for $55,000 at the 2019 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.  Lauriston owner James O’Brien has Group 1 link with All Too Hard having bought Champion Hong Kong sprinter Wellington as a yearling at the 2018 Gold Coast Magic Millions. 

All Too Hard’s Australian Group 1 star Alligator Blood was beaten but not disgraced when runner-up to Mr Brightside (NZ) at Flemington on Saturday.  “He went great,” Damien Oliver reported after the Makybe Diva Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m).  “He led comfortably and came up underneath me around the bend.  He kicked but the winner was just a bit too good.”

Vinery stands All Too Hard for a $38,500 (inc GST) service fee payable on a live foal.  For bookings or further information, contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).