First Win for Blue-Blood Encosta

Exciting prospect De Shamekh (2c Encosta de Lago x Shamekha, by Secret Savings) lived up to punters expectations at Rosehill on Saturday, improving from a debut second last month to lead throughout and win the open juvenile event over 1100 metres. In contrast to his last run when he was slowly away, this time the Gai Waterhouse trained colt jumped well and was always in control, skipping clear to win by more than three lengths. ”He was a dominant favourite so you want to see him do that,” said winning rider Hugh Bowman. ”I just controlled him until we straightened. When I gave him that little backhander he lowered and quickened again. ”He’s got the makings of a nice horse. It was a no frills win” Stable foreman Dave Meijer said De Shamekh’s win would provide extra enjoyment for Waterhouse, who is on the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions yearling sale and race meeting. ”I know Gai will get a real kick out of that as he’s out of Shamekha,” Meijer said. A homebred foe Emirates Park also trained by Waterhouse, Shamekha won eight races and $1.8 million including Group I wins in the AJC TJ Smith Stakes, All Aged Stakes and STC Coolmore Classic. A son of champion sire Encosta de Lago, De Shamekh is her second winner and was sent to the 2011 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Emirates Park where he was bought back for $675,000 and runs for the Emirates Park No. 2 Syndicate. Shamekha has a yearling filly by Fastnet Rock.