Lord Von Costa has moved into equal fourth favouritism for the $1.3 million Kosciuszko after winning at Flemington on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
There are now three Southern District Racing Association trained horses in the first five lines of betting for the feature restricted to country trainers.
Geoff Duryea's Front Page is currently at $6 second elect with full sister News Girl alongside Lord Von Costa at $11.
Lord Von Costa shortened from $26 after storming to victory in the listed All-Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m).
Four years after winning the Cresswick Stakes down the Flemington straight, which was recently won by Corowa sprinter Front Page, Lord Von Costa done his chances no harm of earning a spot in the biggest race for country NSW and ACT-trained horses.
Albury trainer Donna Scott hopes the win will further his claims for securing a slot in the October feature.
"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 pre-race (56kg), but the seven-year-old certainly lifted for the occasion.
"He (Williams) said he had an ideal run early on 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.
READ MORE