New Zealand Racing, 2010-11

[_ed_]

LAST ONE!

And you might notice I still haven't picked a horse to finish 2nd...



ENCOSTA DIABLO
3 c Encosta De Lago - Devil's Lair
Breeder: Pencarrow Stud
Owner: Te Akau Stud
Trainer: Jason Bridgman
Jockey: Opie Bosson

Starts: 10
Wins: 4
Seconds: 1
Thirds: 0
Earnings: $73,575

Last start: Avondale Guineas (9th)
Best performance of the season: Karaka Mile (fast-finishing 5th)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO-CDZOWe1Q

Season so far:
1st 3yo
1st 3yo
4th Ray Coupland Stakes
5th New Zealand 2000 Guineas
5th 3yo
5th Karaka Mile (fast-finishing)
9th Avondale Guineas (unlucky and fast-finishing)

Pedigree:
The best in the field. He's by champion Australian sire Encosta De Lago. His dam is Devil's Lair, which makes him a half-brother to two Oaks winners - Vapour Trail and Santagostino. This pedigree, and his eye-catching conformation, saw him sell for one of the highest prices in the yearling sales of his year.

Positives:
- Sensational breeding
- He hasn't run a bad race this season
- A stakes-winner as a 2yo, so no doubting his ability
- He's desperate for a step up in distance
- Trained by Bridgman and ridden by Bosson - that combo seems to be working well with King's Rose!

Negatives:
- No wins since October

Current odds:
15-1

So can he win?
Yes. He's a beautifully bred and very highly talented galloper, ridden and trained by some of the best in NZ. There's no doubt he'll handle the distance. If it's not Jimmy's day on Saturday, it just might be Encosta's.

Predicted finish:
2nd


All done! That's the whole field. Thanks and congrats if you read all that!