Group Two Win for $1.2 Million Colt
8th March 2008
Encosta de Lago struck earlier in the day at Flemington with expensive two year-old colt Von Costa de Hero (2c Encosat de Lago x Piavonic, by Scenic) , who opened his winning account with a sterling victory in the Group Two VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes over 1400 metres.Close up at his only two previous starts in stakes company, the David Hayes trained Von Costa de Hero relished the 1400 metres and open expanses of Flemington. He dived through late with a flashing run to grab a narrow win over Carnero and Burgeis.
"I nearly would have run him in the Diamond but decided to save him for this race as he is such a big scopy horse," Hayes said.
"We have given him a light preparation on purpose with Sydney in mind and when get up there in a couple of weeks we decide whether he goes to the Slipper or the Sires."
Von Costa de Hero was purchased by James Bester for $1.2 million from the Coolmore draft at the 2007 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale making him the most expensive colt by Encosta de Lago sold in that year and he races for a partnership that includes Mr Bester's very good client Tim Hughes.
The exciting colt was bred by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum from the Group One winning Scenic mare Piavonic, which he purchased for $660,000 at the 2002 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale.
A brilliant sprinter, Piavonic won nine races and claimed the scalp of champion racemare Sunline when she captured the MVRC Australia Stakes in 2001. At stud she has now had three foals to race and all are winners, with Von Costa de Hero her first stakes horse.
Von Costa de Hero becomes the 49th stakes-winner worldwide for Encosta de Lago who is riding the crest of a very big wave this season with ten individual Australian stakes-winners since August 1.
