Encosta Hits the Front

8th March 2008

On a memorable day of autumn racing, Encosta de Lago surged to the lead on the Australian general sires list with a treble of stakes-winners led by emerging weight-for-age star Sirmione, winner of the Group One VRC Australian Cup.

The Bart Cummings trained Sirmione (4g Encosta de Lago x World Guide, by Defensive Play) trounced quality mare Princess Coup to win the 2000 metre classic by nearly four lengths, the talented duo reversing the placings from their previous encounter in the Group Two MRC St George Stakes, but still providing a Group One quinella for Encosta de Lago.

A Group One winner in the spring when successful in the VRC L.K.S Mackinnon Stakes over the same course and distance, Sirmione has blossomed as a four year-old and the best is surely still to come.

"It was surprising how well he won. The others mightn't be as good as we thought. I don't know," Cummings speculated.

"I thought he'd win by half a head or half a length, but that was quite impressive."

Sirmione will now head back to Sydney for a tilt at the Group One STC The BMW at Rosehill on April 19.

Purchased by Bart Cummings for $300,000 from the draft of Murrulla Stud at the 2005 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Sirmione has now won four races and $1.3 million for his lucky group of owners.

Sirmione is the second foal of the Defensive Play mare World Guide, a half-sister to Sunray, winner of the Group Three New Zealand St Leger and Rocking On, winner of the Listed Grafton Cup.

The progeny of Sirmione’s sire Encosta de Lago will be in keen demand at upcoming sales with 40 for Magic Millions and more than 60 for Inglis Easter