Echezeaux Chases First Stakes' Success

ANZ Bloodstock News Reports:

Well-bred mare Echezeaux (Encosta De Lago), a halfsister to stallions Darci Brahma (Danehill) and Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), will have her first attempt at securing an important stakes victory at Trentham on Saturday. The improving five-year-old, a winner of her two starts this campaign in restricted grade, is one of ten acceptors in the Marton Cup (Listed, 2200m) with Alysha Collett set to ride the Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained mare.

Bred and owned by Pencarrow Stud, Echezeaux is a daughter of Australasian Oaks (Gr 1, 2000m) winner Grand Echezeaux (Zabeel) who has had seven foals to race for five winners including Cambridge Stud stallion Burgundy and The Oaks Stud's Darci Brahma. She is also from the family of Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) winner Ethereal (Rhythm), Group Three winner Romanee Conti (Sir Tristram) and Ethereal Stakes (Gr 3, 2000m) winner Eleonora (Makfi). Echezeaux will come up against Manawatu Cup (Gr 3, 2300m) winner Jacksstar (Zed), runner-up Balham (Don Eduardo) and fourth placed Sampson (Dubai Destination). Listed placed Alinko Prince (Alamosa) will also contest the Marton Cup. Richards told ANZ Bloodstock.

News yesterday that Pencarrow Stud's Sir Peter Vela was being rewarded by showing patience with Echezeaux, who has won four of her nine starts after making her debut in October 2015 as a four-year-old.

“She's got a lot of pedigree (behind her) and she's certainly improved this preparation,” Richards said.

“She's had a couple of nice wins at a mile and the step up to a middle distance should suit her and she gets her opportunity in an even field I guess you could call it. She gets her chance.” Richards said Echezeaux had developed during her winter spell and was showing the benefit of connections' patience. She's a big mare and she's just taken a bit of time to fully mature, but she looks terrific now and Pencarrow Stud have been very good and just let us take our time with her,” he said.

“It certainly looks like it's really starting to pay off.” Echezeaux is nominated for the Wellington Cup (Gr 2, 3200m) at Trentham on 21 January and the Auckland Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) at Ellerslie on 11 March. She's got nominations for those cup races, but let's just get through Saturday first,” Richards said.

“We'll see how she goes and then sit down with Pencarrow and see what they want to do. We are really happy with the way she's going, but she needs to step up. She's only won a Rating 75 mile (last start), but she is looking for this trip (2200 metres) now and it's the right opportunity to try and hopefully pinch a bit of black type.”