Encosta Colt Wins by Four

6th September 2008

Promising three year-old Wookah (3c Encosta de Lago x High Heels, by Canny Lad) , a half-brother by Encosta de Lago to six-time Group One winner Desert War, cast off maiden status with a highly impressive win at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Third in the Group Three SAJC Sires’ Produce Stakes at his last run before a spell, Wookah resumed over 1450 metres and careered right away to win the restricted three year-old event by four lengths.

Trained by David Hayes, Wookah (pictured as a yearling) was an $800,000 purchase for James Bester Bloodstock from the Widden Stud draft at the 2007 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Bred by Gooree Stud, Wookah is the seventh foal of outstanding producer High Heels, the dam of five winners led by outstanding performer Desert War, a winner of 12 races and $3million in prizemoney highlighted by Group One wins in the AJC Epsom Handicap twice, Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Chipping Norton Stakes, VRC L.K.S Mackinnon Stakes and STC Ranvet Stakes.

A big strong colt in the mould of the rest of his family, Wookah has been give time to mature and could be an improver this spring when he gets into some of the longer races.