 The Encosta de Lago roll continued at Moonee Valley on Saturday when
one of his well bred young two-year-olds led home a quinella for the Blue Gum Farm based stallion.
In a further boost for Victorian breeders who
have supported the son of Fairy King, Titanic Jack and Costalette led home an Encosta
one-two in the Carlton Draught Handicap (1000m).
Despite covering ground at his racetrack debut
the beautifully bred gelding Titanic Jack proved too strong for the last start city winner
Costalette.
Titanic Jack, who is from the Stage Door
Johnny mare Gold Tunic, is tipped to have a bright future according to his trainer Tommy
Hughes Jnr.
"He's a nice horse this fellow,"
Hughes said after the win. "To win on a slow track at his first start is certainly a
good effort."
 The strongly built chestnut youngster showed connections he had plenty of ability
from an early age.
"We were originally setting him for the
Inglis Classic race at Flemington in February," Hughes recalled when explaining the
natural ability of his charge.
Titanic Jack, who was ridden to victory by
Jason Patton, was no doubt the best bred of the runners in Saturday's opening Melbourne
event.
Not only is he by Victoria's hottest sire in
Fairy King's Group One winning son Encosta de Lago, but he is from an exceptional female
family.
Gold Tunic, the gelding's unraced dam, is
already twice proven as a black type producer. She is the dam of the Group One winner
Sober Suit and the Group performing juvenile Titanic Rose. She is the dam of six runners,
five have been winners.
 A daughter of Stage Door Johnny, Gold Tunic is a three quarter
sister in blood to the exceptional Northern Hemisphere performer Johnny D (Champion
American Handicapper in 1977) and the Group Two winner Stardusk.
Encosta de Lago's early performances as a sire
of top gallopers is equally matched by his ability on the track and top class pedigree.
In recent times the star Encostas have
included Lashed, Gold Lottey, Chong Tong, Night Chaser, Circumnavigating, Delago Brom,
Largo, Maicostus, Costalette, Mystic Elle, Malapert, Lady Mulroy and the Adelaide Magic
Millions hero Milkshake.
Encosta de Lago will again be standing at
Victoria's Blue Gum Farm for the 2002 breeding
season.
PICS - Quentin Lang. |
