The Pencarrow bred three-year-old Encosta Diablo has his first run on the board for the new season, with a win fresh up today over 1200m at Ashburton.

Off the back of a trial win 10 days ago, the son of Pencarrow mare Devil’s Lair (Sir Tristram) got held out three wide early but pushed forward quietly to settle in second position and looked nice and relaxed in the running. He travelled up around the turn and challenged for the lead upon straightening for home. He was travelling well but had to fight strongly to hold off a challenge from second placed Final Touch in the closing stages to win by a short head.

Trained by Jason Bridgman for the Te Akau Four Colts’ Syndicate, Encosta Diablo is now a winner of three from four career starts. All going well he is now pencilled in to run next at Riccarton on Saturday 2nd October in the Guineas Trial, a three-year-old 1400m event.

Bought from the Karaka Premier Sale for $600,000, Encosta Diablo is one of five winners from Devil’s Lair, including Group 1 New Zealand Oaks winner Vapour Trail (Jetball) and Group 2 Great Northern Guineas winner Santagostino (Giant’s Causeway).

Devil’s Lair's unnamed two-year-old Pins filly has been retained by the stud, and she is due to foal to Danehill Dancer this season.