Quality mare Miss Rose de Lago led the way with an impressive win in the Group Two PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
The win was the first in an open weight-for-age contest for the classy performer, already a winner at Group Two level.
Prepared by Danny O’Brien, Miss Rose de Lago sat off a hot speed before coming with a perfectly timed run under Damien Oliver to beat a quality field.
At the post Miss Rose de Lago ($8) held a half length advantage over Jacquinot Bay ($17), while Entirely Platinum ($21) was a similar margin back in third place.
“It all went to plan for her,” O’Brien said. “She really needs that solid tempo over 1400 (metres).”
O’Brien said the mare would most likely run next in the Group Two Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley in three weeks.
Further future aims could include the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield as connections eye a Group One victory during the carnival.
Miss Rose de Lago was purchased by Perth based owners Barry and Jan McRostie for $210,000 from the Coolmore Stud draft at the 2012 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“What a great thrill,” a delighted Jan McRostie said from the winner’s stall. “She’s done such a great job.”
“And it’s great to have Damien (Oliver) ride her as well – the West Aussies are winners all round!”
Miss Rose de Lago started her career in Western Australia under the care of Simon Miller and she showed immense ability with multiple stakes wins including success in the Group Three Champion Fillies Stakes.
Since her transfer to Melbourne, Miss Rose de Lago has won another three group races – the Ladies Day Vase (G3) at Caulfield and the Sunline Stakes (G2) at Moonee Valley prior to her Lawrence success.
From 29 starts the good looking mare has registered nine wins and seven minor placings for earnings of over $882,000.
A daughter of long time star sire Encosta de Lago, Miss Rose de Lago is one of four winners for her dam Crimson Dawn, a twice raced daughter of Fasliyev and Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Mail the Desert.
In Sydney the star three-year-olds were out to impress in the Group Three San Domenico Stakes and with a powerful sprinting performance if was Star Turn who proved too good.
A highlight foal and sale ring star, where he sold for $400,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Star Turn showed he’d developed beautifully from his initial season at two.
The son of Star Witness was heavily backed in the Rosehill feature and he proved a length and a quarter too good for his rivals, winning handsomely for jockey Tommy Berry and trainer Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes.
“He has definitely put weight on and grown,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said. “He’s got thicker and stronger and he is mentally attuned.”
“We have always known he’s got the ability, but it is a matter of putting it all together,” Hawkes added.
Star Turn, a product of Widden Stud who is raced by Alan Bell, is set to start next in the Group Two Run to the Rose – the Group One Golden Rose another aim for the exciting three-year-old.
One of ten stakes performers for the Blue Diamond winner Star Witness, Star Turn is the second black type galloper produced by the group three winning Made of Gold mare Golden Delicious.
Meanwhile, quality Perth sprinter First Among Equals made it three stakes wins and his 10th overall when powering home to win Saturday’s listed Newmarket Handicap at Belmont.
A member of the powerful Simon Miller stable, First Among Equals sat behind the leaders before unleashing in the straight under Paul Harvey to win by half a length.
With 10 wins and five minor placings from just 19 starts, the son of Exceed and Excel has proven an exceptional value buy for his connections.
First Among Equals was sourced from the 2012 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $85,000.
The good looking bay gelding is one of four winners produced by the Group Three Desert Gold Stakes winner Pride of the Class, a Volksraad half sister to Fulmonti and Majestical.
First Among Equals could join his star stablemate Whispering Brook on a trip to the eastern states. The Group One Winterbottom Stakes later in the year is also an option.
