A classy front-running ride from Tegan Newman provided Steven Cole with a special victory at Ruakaka on Friday with Per La Vita.
Based out of Byerley Park, Cole has a team of around 25 gallopers in training, of which many are shared in ownership with his father, David Cole.
However, when Cole purchased Per La Vita at the 2022 National Yearling Sales, his mother elected to take a share in the filly and was duly rewarded when she broke through for her maiden victory in The Whangapiro Valley Free Range Egg Cup (1400m).
Having an awkward barrier draw (10) to contend with, Per La Vita was among the best at the jump and jockey Tegan Newman utilised the back straight to work into the pace-making position. After settling kindly in front, the filly broke away from the field turning for home and staved off the challenge of Sawbay and Lucky Bay to score by a neck.
Cole indicated the race had not panned out as anticipated, however, he was thrilled to see the daughter of Per Incanto salute the judge when starting a $24.80 chance, after two midfield finishes this time in.
“It was a really good run and a gutsy effort. It probably wasn’t our initial intention to jump and lead, but with the way she jumped, Tegan used a bit of initiative and rode her positively,” he said.
“We’ll just see how she comes through this, but there’s plenty of three-year-old racing coming up so we may look to find her something at the new Ellerslie track. It would be pretty cool if she could win a race there.”
Cole had secured Per La Vita for $90,000 out of Book 1 when presented by Wentwood Grange, and soon had involved his mother and a close friend into the ownership.
“I bought her at the sales and my mum ended up taking a share in her, as well as Cherie Hope, a lady that we’ve been family friends with for a long time,” he said.
“It was really cool to be able to get this for them, as my dad is usually the one down on the ownership paper.
“She was just a nice type and by a good stallion in Per Incanto. She’s got a bit of breeding there, so if we could get a bit of black-type with her, we thought she could be quite valuable.”