The Pencarrow Stud bred youngster, Encosta Diablo, was the deserved recipient of the South Island Two-Year-Old of the Year Award at the South Island Racing Awards on Friday night in Christchurch.

David Ellis - purchaser of Encosta Diablo from Pencarrow Stud for $600,000, and manager of his syndicate of owners - accepted the Award on their behalf.

"I was delighted that the owners have been able to enjoy this Award on top of five wins and a second placing with this colt.

"I was even happier the very next day when he put in a very good effort at Riccarton to win the Guineas’ Trial and thus gained an automatic entry into the $1,000,000 Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas.

"He was three wide all the way from a wide barrier draw and really showed some determination in the straight. It was a terrific ride too by Chris Johnson."

Known affectionately as “Bentley” at home at Te Akau Racing, the three-year-old son of Encosta de Lago and Pencarrow mare, Devil's Lair, is winding up for greater spring spoils with his next assignment either the Ray Coupland Stakes at Ashburton on the 17th October or the Canterbury Stakes a week later.