It didn’t take long for the well-related filly Costa Viva to make an impression on Kiwi trainer Jason Bridgman after her arrival from Australia.

Her raw talent quickly became evident and a runaway debut victory at Ruakaka on Saturday has now confirmed a classic goal in the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas at Riccarton in November.

“She’s a lovely filly and has showed plenty of ability right from the outset so we were expecting that,” Bridgman said.  “She’s still a touch green and with further racing she will continue to improve.

The Gold Trail Stakes and Soliloquy Stakes are both on the radar in the lead-up to the 1000 Guineas.

Bridgman originally had high hopes for the daughter of Encosta De Lago as a two-year-old but was forced to delay her debut.

“David Ellis bought her out of the June sale on the Gold Coast and we gave her a couple of trials,” Bridgman said.  “She won the first time and executed perfectly and I said to David I think she can win a two-year-old race.  We gave her one more trial and then her shins got to her so we had to turn her out.”

A $100,000 purchase at the 2012 Gold Coast Magic Millions, Costa Viva is the first foal of the Bel Esprit mare Vivacious Spirit who won at G3 level in the 2008 How Now Stakes at Caulfield.  She is a member of an international family that features the Irish 1000 Guineas winner Tarascon.