Three year old colt Quinta de Lago (Encosta De Lago – Slip Sliding (Thunder Gulch)) may be out of a half-sister to Champion American two-year-old speed machine and successful sire Dehere (Deputy Minister), but he is showing a real aptitude for the longer journeys.

A crushing five lengths was his victory margin in the South Canterbury 2100m First Sovereign Trust Stayers Maiden. Trailing the leader until the home turn, Quinta de Lago zipped to the front with ease and pulled away for jockey Ashlee Mundy who stated after the race that the colt would have no worries seeing out the Derby distance of 2400 metres.

With this in mind, and the dominance of his performance, it is the $2.2million dollar NZ Derby in March that Quinta de Lago has in his sights long term. In the short term look out for Quinta de Lago over Riccarton’s Cup week, with the possibility of a start in a progressive staying race on the 15th of November, New Zealand Cup Day.

Peter and Philip Vela share in the ownership of the Mark Walker-trained colt, along with Trevor Farmer and Mark Wyborn.