Written by Paul Vettise
Racing runs deep in Winona Costin’s blood and she will be hoping to emulate her great grandfather when she returns to New Zealand to ride at Ellerslie on Sunday.
The former champion Sydney apprentice will be here to get a sighter around the country’s premier course ahead of a return to partner Beauty Diva (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) in the Karaka Million on January 26.
Costin has been booked by the filly’s part-owner and trainer Clinton Isdale and she will ride three from his stable on Sunday – Mannering (NZ) (Sufficient {NZ}), Aigne (NZ) (Sufficient {NZ}) and I Walk Alone (NZ) (Bullbars).
“I’ve picked up the ride in the Karaka Million and I can’t wait, I’m so excited.” – Winona Costin.
“I’ve picked up the ride in the Karaka Million and I can’t wait, I’m so excited,” Costin said.
“I grew up in New Zealand and moved from Cambridge to Australia when I was seven or eight.
Winona winning aboard Roaring to Win at Randwick
“I’m related to the Autridge family by marriage and Larry Wiggins is my great grandad so it’s all New Zealand blood.
Costin has a rich family history at Ellerslie and she has fingers crossed she can add to it in the coming weeks.
“They say Larry Wiggins used to clean up at Ellerslie so I hope I can as well.” – Winona Costin.
“They say Larry Wiggins used to clean up at Ellerslie so I hope I can as well.”
Wiggins enjoyed a decorated career and won three Auckland Cups and multiple successes in the Railway S. He also finished runner-up on Akbar (NZ) (Nizami {FR}) in the 1951 G1 Melbourne Cup.
On the other side of the family, Costin’s great grandfather Jack Wood trained Captain Peri (NZ) (Della Porta {ITY}), who ran third to Think Big in 1974.
The Sydney-based Costin was not so long ago pondering a permanent move to New Zealand for increased riding opportunities until personal circumstances changed.
“Things have picked up in Australia and my Dad hasn’t been in the best of health so I’m staying put for the time being.” – Winona Costin.
“Things have picked up in Australia and my Dad hasn’t been in the best of health so I’m staying put for the time being,” she said.
Costin spent about 18 months of her apprenticeship with Gai Waterhouse before transferring to Peter and Paul Snowden and in 2014-15 was crowned champion with 41 Sydney winners.
Te Awamutu-based horseman Clinton Isdale had no hesitation in approaching the lightweight jockey to partner Beauty Diva in the Karaka Million.
“She was with Gai and I wanted to get a good front-running jockey,” he said.
Isdale educates and pre-trains for former leading jockey turned successful Singapore trainer Leslie Khoo and they race Beauty Diva together.
Beauty Diva as a yearling
“I saw this filly in the parade ring so I rang Leslie and we bought her.” - Clinton Isdale.
“He’s always wanted to get a Showcasing colt or gelding, but they were pretty expensive. I saw this filly in the parade ring so I rang Leslie and we bought her,” Isdale said.
Beauty Diva was snapped up for NZ$11,000 at Karaka out of Long Acres Stud’s draft and is a grand-daughter of the G3 Centaine S. winner Ketchikau (NZ) (Kreisler {USA}).
“She won her first start at Pukekohe and then ran fifth in the Wellesley S. after she didn’t handle the trip down to Wellington very well.”
Beauty Diva hasn’t raced since she ran fourth on a rain-affected track at Ellerslie on Boxing Day when sent out favourite, but Isdale said she had a valid excuse for her effort.
“She had trialled well before that, but the track was too heavy for her and it was a total forgive run,” he said.
