The Donna Scott-trained Lord Von Costa could be headed for the $1.3 million The Kosciuszko this spring following the veteran’s return to form in the Listed $128,000 All Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington.
Craig Williams enjoyed his third All Victorian Sprint Series Final win in five years guiding Lord Von Costa to an upset win at Flemington. Photo: Steve Hart.
Four years ago, when the Listed A.R. Creswick Stakes took place on Finals Day and Lord Von Costa was under a brief time with trainer Stephen Brown, the galloper enjoyed a Black-Type win.
He transferred back into the care of Scott’s father and still part-owner Graham Hulm after the Creswick win of 2016 and was moved from a one-run stint with Lindsay Park to Scott’s Albury stables in the spring of 2018.
Lord Von Costa won his first race for Scott in January of this year down the ‘Straight Six’ at Flemington and the comeback galloper was successful again at the same track and distance in the All Victorian Sprint Series Final 2020 with Craig Williams aboard.
Having been nursed back to care by Scott after a second, nearly career-ending tendon injury, the son of Group 2 winner Von Costa De Hero looked back to his best on Finals Day at HQ handing Williams his third win in the event in five years.
It was an amazing result for the whole team at Hazel Park Racing including co-owner Rhys Holleran.
“Just beside myself, that’s the best day,” Holleran told the media.
“Racing’s dreaming and today one of our dreams come true.
“What a great effort. What a great thrill today.
“A lot of people have done a lot of work on this horse.
“He’s come back this time just better than ever I’m just so grateful for it.”
In the All Victorian Sprint Series Final, Lord Von Costa ($9.50) narrowly beat home fellow seven-year-old Great Again ($5.50), while eight-year-old Malibu Style ($14) for WA’s Neville Parnham rounded out the trifecta just a half-length away third.
The $1.3 million The Kosciuszko (1200m), part of The Everest Day at Randwick on October 17 and open only to NSW country-trained horses, now looks an ideal target for the rising eight-year-old Lord Von Costa.
All-in 2020 The Kosciuszko odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au have firmed on Lord Von Costa in from $31 to $15 and are available in full here.
2020 All Victorian Sprint Series Final Results
| Colour | Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1 | 9 | LORD VON COSTA | Donna Scott | Craig Williams | 6 | 56kg | $9.50 | ||
 |
2 | 1 | GREAT AGAIN | Lindsey Smith | Michael Rodd | 0.3L | 10 | 59kg | $5.50 | |
 |
3 | 2 | MALIBU STYLE | Neville Parnham | Damien Oliver | 0.5L | 8 | 59kg | $14 | |
 |
4 | 10 | HI STRANGER | Shane Fliedner | Billy Egan | 2.75L | 3 | 56kg | $10 | |
 |
5 | 4 | I AM SOMEONE | Paul Preusker | Declan Bates | 3.75L | 9 | 57.5kg | $5 | |
 |
6 | 3 | RICH CHARM | Udyta Clarke | Patrick Moloney | 3.85L | 7 | 58.5kg | $4.40F | |
 |
7 | 8 | RICH ITCH | Shawn Mathrick | Dwayne Dunn | 4.35L | 5 | 56kg | $26 | |
 |
8 | 5 | MILWAUKEE | Michael Moroney | Jye McNeil | 5.6L | 1 | 56.5kg | $13 | |
 |
9 | 6 | SNITZKRAFT | Phillip Stokes | Ben Allen | 6.35L | 4 | 56.5kg | $17 | |
 |
10 | 7 | TAVISAN (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Ben Melham | 6.45L | 2 | 56.5kg | $10 |
*Table Credit: Racing Australia.
