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Costa has eye on present and future at Sunshine Coast

23 December 2018

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By Glenn Davis

Gold Coast trainer Michael Costa will have one eye on the present and another on the future when he takes a team of three to the Boxing Day meeting at the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday.

Costa has emerged as one of the rising young stars in Queensland’s training ranks since making the tough decision to give up training 2017 Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign to move to Queensland two years ago.

Costa has been in great form over the past month notching up 14 winners since November 16.

“I’ve got 40 horses in work all the time and another six in pre-training and whenever one or two go out for a spell they’re quickly replaced,” Costa said.

Costa will saddle up Seentoomany in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Benchmark 70 Handicap, Spirit And Fire (Class Three Handicap) and Smug Satisfaction (Benchmark 62 Handicap).

Costa is hoping a win from Smug Satisfaction will help qualify her for the $250,000 Magic Millions Country Cup (1200m) on her home track on January 12 while Seentoomany may take a Queensland Oaks path next winter if she handles a step up in distance to 1600 metres against her own age.

“Seentoomany needs to get clear running but the big Caloundra track will suit her,” Costa said.

“She’s got a good pedigree being by Sebring to get an Oaks trip and if she goes well in this race and shows she can handle 1600 metres we might look at an Oaks campaign with her next year.

“The Sebring progeny have shown they can stay.”

Seentoomany got well back at her last appearance over 1400 metres at the Gold Coast on December 15 and went on to win by almost three lengths in Class One grade.

Costa admits there is a query with Smug Satisfaction dropping back in distance following her last start fourth to Lulu Express over 1350 metres at Doomben on December 8.

Smug Satisfaction is also a daughter of Sebring and won her previous two starts at the Gold Coast and Murwillumbah.

“Smug Satisfaction needs to win this race to get enough points to lift her rating to qualify for the Magic Millions Country Cup,” Costa said.

‘She’s drawn well in barrier two and the claim for Jag (Guthman-Chester) is going to help a lot.

“Spirit And Fire is also going well after he placed at Doomben last start.

“I will be disappointed if all three don’t go close to winning.”

Racing Queensland webnews   December 24