News

Valdemoro out to emulate grandam

21st Mar 2010

Stallions - Michelle Cullen - Saturday, 20 March 2010

Caulfield based trainer Tony Vasil had the Group I VRC Oaks runner-up, Valdemoro, nice and sharp for her second run this campaign at Moonee Valley on Friday night in the Tatts Group Hcp (1600m).

Although the opposition was modest, Valdemoro was asked to carry top weight of 59kg, dropped out to the rear and strode up to the field at the 800m mark to gradually make ground out wide under Nick Hall. Rounding the home corner, Hall waited until the bay filly was balanced before giving her full rein over the final furlong, running 11.80, to claim her second career win.

Vasil, wasn’t at the track as he was in Sydney with his juvenile Psychologist, has adopted a conservative approach with the daughter of Encosta de Lago this campaign as he aims her towards the Group I AJC Oaks, a race her grandam, Circles of Gold (by Marscay), won.

Breaking her maiden at Sale just two weeks ago, the win at Moonee Valley on Friday night was her first in city class.

Valdemoro is out of Hveger (by Danehill), a runner-up in the SAJC Group 2 SA Oaks and a third placegetter in the Group I SAJC Australasian Oaks, and a sister to the four-time international group one winner Elvstroem (by Danehill) and a half-sister to another international group one winner Haradasun (Fusaichi Pegasus).

Owned by Fred Tagg and his Arch of Gold Syndicate, who purchased Circles of Gold (Marscay) out of the 1993 William Inglis Easter yearling sale for $50,000. Valdemoro has the pedigree to run the AJC Oaks distance and the win did give the family of a colt by Encosta de Lago at 2010’s version of the sale a little more depth. To be offered on the first day of the sale, Tuesday 6th, on account of Coolmore Stud, as agent, the bay is out of Lady Circles (by Ascot Knight), a daughter of Circles of Gold.

Lady Circles recently received another vital pedigree update when King Raedwald (by Red Ransom) finished third in the Group 2 Championship Stakes in New Zealand. One of the 57 yearlings by Encosta de Lago to be offered at the sale, which runs through until Thursday, April 8th.

Photo: Circles Of Gold on her way to victory in the 1995 AJC Oaks at Randwick

To read Andrew Garvey's article on "G1 Winning Dams To Stud" from the 2010 Easter Yearling Sale Preview CLICK HERE