Stylish Win for Encosta Filly

18th November 2008

Promising filly Rapala (3f Encosta de Lago x Kahuna's Girl, by King of Kings) made a swift transition from a maiden win at Goulburn to a metropolitan success when she charged home to win over 1300 metres at Warwick Farm on Tuesday.

The Guy Walter trained filly was eased back from a wide gate and made a sustained run four and five wide to win her second race from four starts by more then a length.

“She had to make a long and sustained run and was very impressive,” Walter said.

“I would think on that run she’d win better races.

“She could possibly even be a filly for the autumn.”

Passed in shy of her $150,000 reserve at the 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Rapala was retained to race by Sebring’s breeders Corumbene Stud and is the second foal of unraced Kahuna’s Girl, a grand-daughter of US Group Three winner Duty Dance.

Rapala brought up the second leg of a winning double for Guy Walter, who took out the first race on the program with improving gelding I’ve Got Talent (4g Danehill Dancer x Swing Again, by Take Your Partner), who won the Ratings 75 event over 1600 metres.

Coolmore based sires posted a third winner on the program when the Gai Waterhouse trained Fusakeo (3g Fusaichi Pegasus x Miss Jakeo, by Unbridled's Song) took his record to two wins and a second from three starts when taking out the restricted event for three year-old colts and geldings over 1300 metres.

A son of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, Fusakeo overcame a wide drawn to lead throughout, kicking on strongly to score by half a neck.

Yet another winner for Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds, Fusakeo was a $140,000 Magic Millions purchase from the draft of Baramul Stud and is a half-brother to Group Three winner Miss Judgement being from Miss Jakeo, a daughter of dual Group One winner Lady Jakeo..