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Suffire winning her way toward Oaks; Encosta de Lago pensioned; Sargent pleased with stablemates’ progress; Lees claims top riders.

Suffire winning her way toward Oaks

Progressive filly Suffire has maintained her winning momentum ahead of a tilt at next month’s Gr.1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks.

The Sufficient three-year-old had no trouble graduating from a maiden victory to Rating 65 success at Tauranga on Friday and is now an $18 chance for the Trentham classic.

“That was a pretty game win taking on the older horses and there’s improvement in her,” co-trainer Andrew Scott said.

“She’ll head down to the Lowland next against her own age and sex. She’s bred to stay all day and she’s going the right way toward the Oaks.”

From the family of the champion sire Redoute’s Choice, Suffire will make her next appearance in the Gr.3 Little Avondale Stud Lowland Stakes at Hastings on February 28.

Encosta de Lago pensioned

Coolmore has announced the retirement of their outstanding stallion Encosta de Lago.

The 21-year-old son of Fairy King has twice been crowned champion sire of Australia as well as earning the title of champion sire in Hong Kong for the 2011-12 season.

“It’s a pleasure to be associated with a horse of this calibre,” Tom Magnier said.

“He has done it all as a stallion and we are looking forward to further quality performers emerging over the coming seasons from his final crops.”

Encosta de Lago is the sire of 105 stakes winners, 23 Group One winners and 22 millionaires to date. His leading progeny include the Hong Kong superstar Sacred Kingdom, brilliant mares Alinghi and Princess Coup, as well as weight-for-age stars Sirmione, Racing To Win and Ultra Fantasy.

Sargent pleased with stablemates’ progress

John Sargent’s Group One winner Kirramosa will take another step toward resuming next week.

“Happy with her. She’s trialling on Tuesday, her second trial and then she’s ready to start,” the Randwick trainer said. “Tommy Berry will ride her on Tuesday.”

The 2013 VRC Oaks winner’s stablemate Thunder Lady, who hasn’t raced since she finished runner-up in the Flemington feature last year, may also step out at the trials.

“She’s great. I’ve nominated her Tuesday and I’ll have to decide if I go then or the following Tuesday,” Sargent said.

“After that she’ll be ready to kick off and I’m very happy with her. She’s grown and strengthened and I think you’ll see the best of her in the Vinery once she’s over a bit of ground.”

Lees claims top riders

Hugh Bowman and Craig Williams have been booked by Kris Lees for the respective resuming runs of his stable stars Lucia Valentina and Protectionist.

The New Zealand-bred and owned Lucia Valentina will kick off in the Gr.2 Apollo Stakes on Saturday week while her Melbourne Cup-winning team-mate will start a new campaign in the Gr.2 Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield on February 28.