September 19, 2009Hill Stakes to Miss Marielle
By Tara Madgwick – www.breednet.com.au
Encosta de Lago mare Miss Marielle has thrived since joining the Sydney stable of Joe Pride, her recent good form rewarded at Rosehill on Saturday with a hard fought win in the Group Two STC Hill Stakes over 1900 metres.
Runner-up at her last two starts behind form horses Moti and O’Lonhro, Miss Marielle was ridden a heady race Peter Robl and responded gamely in the straight, defying the challengers to defeat Victorian raider Pacino and AJC Australian Derby winner Roman Emperor.
“She’s racing particularly well,” said Pride.
“She can be a hard mare to handle, but we’ve got her right now.”
A $330,000 purchase from the 2006 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale offered by Broadwater Farm, Miss Marielle was originally raced by the Perrin brothers before being secured by Belmont Bloodstock for $250,000 on behalf of current owner Tom Kelly of Newhaven Park at the 2009 Inglis Broodmare Sale.
Already a stakes-winner, Miss Marielle has the overall record of five wins and four placings from 19 starts with prizemoney of $458,700.
Bred by Contract Racing, who later sold her dam Miss Vandal for $295,000 at the 2005 Inglis Broodmare Sale, Miss Marielle is the second foal of the West Australian Group Three winner, a half-sister by Don’t Say Halo (USA) to another stakes-winner in Krystal Storm.
Miss Vandal has already produced a foal this spring for her current owner Dr Phil Chen, a filly by Darci Brahma.
Champion sire Encosta de Lago also featured on Saturday with Victoria Derby bound three year-old colt Tribunal, who won the first race at Caulfield and in New Zealand, where two year-old colt Encosta Diablo won his first start at Riccarton by more than two lengths as hot favourite.