Douro Valley Races Into Caulfield Cup

22nd September 2007

Tough Encosta de Lago gelding Douro Valley (6g Encosta – Opaque, by Lord Seymour) raced his way into the Caulfield Cup with a dogged win over hot favourite Maldivian in the Listed MRC Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Three wide throughout the 2000 metre journey, the Danny O’Brien trained Douro Valley thrived on the hard work, finding the line with grim determination to post his first Black Type success.

“He’s a really honest horse that is getting stronger as he gets older,” said O’Brien.

“He’s in career best form and now that he’s qualified for the Cup (Caulfield) he’ll be there with a chance.”

Douro Valley will carry just 50.5 kg in the Group One MRC Caulfield Cup on October 20, which is too light a weight for winning jockey Darren Beadman who will be in Hong Kong then in any case on a three-month contract.

“He had such a tough run, he’s run 2400 metres today!” quipped Beadman.

Runner up in the Group One SAJC Derby as a three year-old, Douro Valley has won seven races and placed 12 times from 36 starts earning $379,091 for his lucky syndicate of owners.

Not offered at public auction, Douro Valley is the second foal of the Lord Seymour mare Opaque, who is already the dam of a stakes-winner having produced last season’s stakes-winning three year-old filly, Stellamac, as the result of a mating with Mull of Kintyre.

Douro Valley becomes the 46^th stakes-winner worldwide for Encosta de Lago who is likely to be back at Coolmore in the Hunter Valley this week to commence the breeding season following his detainment at the Eastern Creek quarantine facility.