Viva Glam breaks maiden in fine style for Savabeel

Three days following her sire Savabeel‘s official induction into the NZ Racing Hall of Fame, smart three-year-old filly Viva Glam (ex Style By Design) put in a mighty performance at Matamata to win by 1.25 lengths eased down through the line by Craig Grylls.

Racing in the tangerine colours of Te Akau Racing, Viva Glam gave Grylls this third winner on the Matamata card. Collecting his 126th winner of the season, Grylls was complimentary of Viva Glam in the testing conditions.

“She’s jumped away nicely and travelled well throughout,” he said. “She felt like she really handled it and she’s got quite a short action, so I think the wet ground will help her out.

“I think she will (go through the grades), she’s won it pretty comfortably in the end. She’s going to take a bit of natural improvement from that as well.”

Co-trainer Mark Walker was also glowing of Grylls’ ride, and believes Viva Glam has a bright future instore.

“It was a lovely ride by Craig, who continues to ride very positively, and a good effort by the filly in quite testing ground,” Walker said.

“She got through the ground well, which is really encouraging for this time of year, and the win should give her confidence going forward.

“She’s been a bit of a handful the whole way through, but she’s getting better now, mentally, as she matures.”

Her dam, the Iffraaj mare Style By Design, had previously visited only Savabeel but was sent to Ardrossan last season.