Encosta Filly Stars at Flemington

8th September 2007

Under-rated filly Tan Tat de Lago (3f Encosta de Lago – Tan Tat Star, by Umatilla) upstaged the established stars when she ran a heady race to defeat top class male rivals Scenic Blast and Purrealist in the Group Three VRC Danehill Stakes over 1200 metres at Flemington on Saturday.

Ridden forward in second position by Luke Nolen, Tan Tat de Lago took over with 400 metres to run and scored her first Black Type win in convincing fashion with the official margin posted at two lengths.

A winner of five of her six starts, the Peter Moody trained filly blossomed during the winter months, her only loss coming when an unlucky fourth on debut at Sale on May 26.

"Jeff O'Connor (racing manager) and I had a good look at the two year old form of her and Riva San and Pit Lane that won three in the Winter and thought they were worth a crack at the Spring because we didn't think the Autumn form was that superior," said Moody.

Tan Tat de Lago has now won $229,400 and will be aimed towards the Group One MRC Thousand Guineas over 1600 metres at Caulfield on October 17.

Bred and retained to race by the Tung family, Tan Tat de Lago is the first foal of the metropolitan winning Umatilla mare Tan Tat Star, a full sister to former top class galloper Umrum, a winner of 14 races and $1.5 million in prizemoney including the VATC Toorak Handicap twice.

Tan Tat de Lago becomes the 44^th stakes-winner for outstanding sire Encosta de Lago who is still stranded in quarantine at Eastern Creek after shuttling to Ireland for the first time earlier this year.