Encosta Mare Wins Kelt Capital

6th October 2007

Leading sire Encosta de Lago was represented by his first Group One winner of the new season when New Zealand Oaks winner Princess Coup (4m Encosta de Lago - Stoneyfell Road, by Sovereign Red) arrived in the very last stride to win the $2million Kelt Capital Stakes over 2000 metres at Hastings in New Zealand on Saturday.

The Mark Walker trained mare flew home from nowhere to seize a narrow margin over J’Adane (4m Danehill - Affirmed Lane, by Affirmed) in a thrilling finish with hot favourite Seachange a whisker away in fourth place.

Princess Coup is entered for the Caulfield Cup and connections have indicated that she is likely to come across for the race in which she will carry 50.5 kg.

Princess Coup was the dominant filly in New Zealand last season starting 12 times at three for seven wins including a facile four and a half length win in the Group One WRC New Zealand Oaks over 1400 metres.

Having her fourth run back from a spell in the Kelt Capital, Princess Coup was able to turn the tables on Seachange after finishing third to the champion mare at her most recent start in the Group One Stoney Bridge Stakes over 1600 metres.

Princess Coup’s overall record stands at nine wins from 20 starts and her earnings have soared to in excess of $1.6 million with her latest triumph.

Bred in Australia by Mark Kelly's Ingenue Breeding Syndicate and good friend Brenton Wise, Princess Coup was purchased by David Ellis for $260,000 at the 2005 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale from the draft of Ernivale Thoroughbreds.

Princess Coup is the fourth foal of the stakes-winning Sovereign Red mare Stoneyfell Road, whose dam Arch Duchess was a Group Three winning sprinter by speed influence Arch Sculptor.

The win of Princess Coup in New Zealand’s richest race will propel her sire Encosta de Lago to the top of the sires tables by earnings for Australia and New Zealand combined.