The Donna Scott-trained Lord Von Costa could be headed for the $1.3 million The Kosciuszko this spring following the veteran’s return to form in the Listed $128,000 All Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington.

Craig Williams enjoyed his third All Victorian Sprint Series Final win in five years guiding Lord Von Costa to an upset win at Flemington. Photo: Steve Hart.

Four years ago, when the Listed A.R. Creswick Stakes took place on Finals Day and Lord Von Costa was under a brief time with trainer Stephen Brown, the galloper enjoyed a Black-Type win.

He transferred back into the care of Scott’s father and still part-owner Graham Hulm after the Creswick win of 2016 and was moved from a one-run stint with Lindsay Park to Scott’s Albury stables in the spring of 2018.

Lord Von Costa won his first race for Scott in January of this year down the ‘Straight Six’ at Flemington and the comeback galloper was successful again at the same track and distance in the All Victorian Sprint Series Final 2020 with Craig Williams aboard.

Having been nursed back to care by Scott after a second, nearly career-ending tendon injury, the son of Group 2 winner Von Costa De Hero looked back to his best on Finals Day at HQ handing Williams his third win in the event in five years.

It was an amazing result for the whole team at Hazel Park Racing including co-owner Rhys Holleran.

“Just beside myself, that’s the best day,” Holleran told the media.

“Racing’s dreaming and today one of our dreams come true.

“What a great effort. What a great thrill today.

“A lot of people have done a lot of work on this horse.

“He’s come back this time just better than ever I’m just so grateful for it.”

In the All Victorian Sprint Series Final, Lord Von Costa ($9.50) narrowly beat home fellow seven-year-old Great Again ($5.50), while eight-year-old Malibu Style ($14) for WA’s Neville Parnham rounded out the trifecta just a half-length away third.

The $1.3 million The Kosciuszko (1200m), part of The Everest Day at Randwick on October 17 and open only to NSW country-trained horses, now looks an ideal target for the rising eight-year-old Lord Von Costa.

All-in 2020 The Kosciuszko odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au have firmed on Lord Von Costa in from $31 to $15 and are available in full here.

2020 All Victorian Sprint Series Final Results

Colour	Finish	No.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Margin	Bar.	Weight	Penalty	Starting Price
	1	9	LORD VON COSTA	Donna Scott	Craig Williams		6	56kg		$9.50
	2	1	GREAT AGAIN	Lindsey Smith	Michael Rodd	0.3L	10	59kg		$5.50
	3	2	MALIBU STYLE	Neville Parnham	Damien Oliver	0.5L	8	59kg		$14
	4	10	HI STRANGER	Shane Fliedner	Billy Egan	2.75L	3	56kg		$10
	5	4	I AM SOMEONE	Paul Preusker	Declan Bates	3.75L	9	57.5kg		$5
	6	3	RICH CHARM	Udyta Clarke	Patrick Moloney	3.85L	7	58.5kg		$4.40F
	7	8	RICH ITCH	Shawn Mathrick	Dwayne Dunn	4.35L	5	56kg		$26
	8	5	MILWAUKEE	Michael Moroney	Jye McNeil	5.6L	1	56.5kg		$13
	9	6	SNITZKRAFT	Phillip Stokes	Ben Allen	6.35L	4	56.5kg		$17
	10	7	TAVISAN (NZ)	Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)	Ben Melham	6.45L	2	56.5kg		$10

*Table Credit: Racing Australia.