Another Oaks Winner for Encosta
6th May 2007
Encosta de Lago enjoyed great results on Super Sunday at Morphettville in Adelaide with a Group Three double and a second in the Group One SAJC South Australian Derby.The champion son of Fairy King posted his ninth individual Australian stakes-winner this season when three year-old filly Watches (3f Encosta de Lago – Wellington Dreamer, by El Qahira) ran down Indelible to win the Group Three SAJC South Australian Oaks over 2500 metres.
A lightly raced filly trained at Cranbourne by Mick Kent, Watches had won only one previous race, but showed she was on the right track with a strong third against the older mares over 2000 metres at Moonee Valley at her most recent start.
A $120,000 purchase from the draft of Kilora at the the 2005 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Watches is the third foal and first stakes-winner for Group Three placed El Qahira mare Wellington Dreamer, whose extended family includes the great stayer Double Century.
Watches becomes the second Oaks winner for Encosta de Lago this season, his New Zealand based daughter Princess Coup having taken all before her culminating with that memorable four and a half length romp in the Group One New Zealand Oaks.
Encosta de Lago followed quickly with this tenth Aussie stakes-winner this season when rejuvenated mare Brockman’s Lass (4m Encosta de Lago- Deal Me Out, by Final Card), proved too strong in the Group Three SAJC R.A. Lee Stakes over 1600 metres.
Already a three-time Listed winner as a three year-old, the Lee Freedman trained Brockman’s Lass has recaptured her best form, boosting her overall record to seven wins and seven placings from 22 starts with earnings in excess of $540,000.
Plucked from the draft of Dawson Stud at the 2004 Magic Millions Yearling Sale in Perth, Brockman’s Lass was secured by Slade Bloodstock for $75,000.
She is the fourth foal and first stakes-winner for the Final Card mare Deal Me Out, a half-sister to Group One winner Regal Native.
In the Group One SAJC South Australian Derby, improving colt Classic De Lago(3c Encosta de Lago – Classic Plume, by Military Plume) beat all but the hot favourite Lazer Sharp, going down by a little over a length in a gallant performance.
The Phillip Stokes trained Classic de Lago was the top priced offering at the 2005 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale where he fetched $480,000 to the bid of the Global Thoroughbred Syndicate.
Offered for sale by Collingrove Stud as agent, he is the second foal and second Black Type performer for his dam Classic Plume (NZ), whose first foal is the stakes-winner Maloose.
Classic Plume (NZ) is a half-sister by Military Plume to former champion sprinting filly Isca, Group Three winner Star Alight and stakes-winner Slapstick.
Encosta de Lago has now sired 41 stakes-winners worldwide and is currently serving his first season at stud in Ireland.