Champion hoop Damien Oliver is confident that Miss Rose De Lago will perform well in the Ladbrokes CF Orr Stakes (1400m) first-up on February 11th, after partnering the talented mare in a trial on Monday morning.
A proven first-up performer, Miss Rose De Lago beat home the Dan O’Sullivan-trained British General and her stable mate De Little Engine in less-than ideal conditions and added to Oliver’s confidence that she can be right in the finish of what is set to be a talent-packed edition of the Ladbrokes CF Orr Stakes on Saturday week.
“I was happy enough with her trial; she had a good hit-out,” Oliver told Racing Victoria.
“The track’s a bit chopped up, which wasn’t ideal for her. But it was a worthwhile exercise, coming here and giving her a good hit-out.
“She’s going to be quite forward for her first-up assignment in the Orr Stakes. She likes that track/distance, and goes well first-up, won the Lawrence fresh.
“It’ll be a tough assignment for her, but definitely worth having a crack.”
A former Perth galloper, Miss Rose De Lago began her racing career under the guidance of Simon Miller in the spring of 2013, before being transferred to the care of Danny O’Brien prior to the 2015 Autumn Carnival.
Resuming in 2016 for third in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m), the Encosta De Lago mare tired late to finish fourth in the Group 3 Schweppervescence Trophy (1600m) before returning to winning form in the Group 2 Sunline Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on March 24th.
Sent to the paddock after failing to fire and ninth in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) on Day 2 of The Championships, Miss Rose De Lago stormed home to win the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) first-up in spring, but failed to beat a single runner home in the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) a fortnight later.
Appearing to be back on track when third in the Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) on September 30th, Miss Rose De Lago has not been seen at the races since finishing at the tail of the field in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) on October 8th.