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.

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.

Advertisement

“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

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...
MRC Committee Returned Unopposed
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has confirmed the results of the 2025 nominations for the MRC Executive Committee and the Mornington Advisory Group (MAG), which will be formally ratified at the Club’s Annual General Meeting on 25 September.
Vale, Ryan Smith
Victorian breeding farm Kulani Park are mourning the loss of partner and family member Ryan Smith.
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.
Cogburn Sire Not This Time on Fire at Keeneland September
If you have been considering sending a mare to Widden Stud’s exciting new shuttle sire Cogburn (USA) or have already booked one in you are going to be pretty interested in what is going on at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale this week where his sire Not This Time is in hot demand.
Another Impressive New Winner St Mark’s Basilica
A colt that holds entries for several upcoming Group races, Piazza San Marco became the 12th winner for Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (FR) when bolting in at Galway overnight.
Mulberry Racing Purchase $550,000 Colt at Keeneland September
Australian based Mulberry Racing featured on the buyers list during the first session of the Keenland September Yearling Sale purchasing a colt by Quality Road for $550,000.
Are You Sending a Mare to Cogburn?
Book 1 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale concluded on Tuesday with the rise of exciting young sire Not This Time as a big player on the world stage well and truly illustrated with 22 of his yearlings selling at an average $805,682.
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.
Keeneland September Record Breaking Book 1 Concludes
Trade at Tuesday’s second session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale continued the enthusiasm for Thoroughbred racing prospects shown during Monday’s opening day with nearly $75 million in sales and a September Sale record session average of $675,180 and median of $550,000. Twenty yearlings sold for $1 million or more to set a Day 2 session record. 
Kiwi Cup Hopeful Headed to Melbourne
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Wolfgang will fly to Melbourne on Wednesday to commence his path towards the A$10 million feature.