Southland horse trying to make historyNicole Johnstone Costa Del Magnifico is led into the birdcage by Tracee Sherborne after winning the Invercargill Cup at Ascot Park in 2016Southland-trained horse Costa Del Magnifico will try and make history this weekend by winning the Invercargill Cup. Costa Del Magnifico will also be the lone Southland-trained horse in Saturday's Invercargill Cup. JOANNA GRIFFITHS/FAIRFAX NZ Costa Del Magnifico and trainer Brent Shirley will try and make history and be the first Southland-trained horse in 20 years to win the 3200-metre race two years in a row. Brent Shirley trains Costa Del Magnifico at Ascot Park for Otatara owners Murray and Sandra Allen. Costa Del Magnifico was named Southland's Horse of the Year at the province's annual harness awards in Invercargill in August, 2016.

Source: Stuff January 24, 2017 21:57 UTC