The region could have three runners in this year's $1.3 million Kosciuszko after Lord Von Costa stormed to victory in the listed All-Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
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Four years after claiming the Cresswick Stakes at Flemington, recently won by Corowa sprinter Front Page, trained by Geoff Duryea, Lord Von Costa done its chances of earning a spot in the biggest race for country NSW and ACT-trained horses no harm.
If successful, the Donna Scott-trained Lord Von Costa could be racing alongside Front Page and News Girl, also trained by Duryea, with the Kosciuszko on the radar for both in October.
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"It's been our goal for a little while, so hopefully that gives us a little bit of leeway from the public for someone to see that he's won a race like that and he'd be a chance of winning the Kosciuszko," Scott said.
"You don't often get a chance to run horses in those sort of races, let alone win one, so it was a massive thrill.
"It's tough going down to Flemington on a Saturday at the best of times, let alone in a listed race against good trainers and horses, so it was a thrill to be able to win."
Jockey Craig Williams was concerned with Lord Von Costa's weight (56kg) pre-race, but the seven-year-old certainly lifted for the occasion.
"He (Williams) said he had an ideal run early in the race which allowed him to let down nicely at the end and sprint away like he did," Scott said.
The stable hasn't got any immediate plans for Lord Von Costa, but Scott reported he pulled up from well on Sunday morning.
Lord Von Costa's prizemoney sits just below $400,000, with three of his four career wins coming at Flemington.