Rose sets sights on Super Saturday

Trainer Danny O'Brien is excited ahead of Super Saturday with class mare Miss Rose De Lago after she kicked off her Autumn campaign with a sensational first-up effort on the weekend.

The Encosta De Lago mare, pictured left leading on the fence, was only just beaten into third in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield.

"Her effort was full of merit as she was on the back-foot early given she stepped slowly from the barriers," O'Brien said.

Kiwi jockey Opie Bosson quickly rectified this issue by pushing forward and taking up the running in the 1400m feature.

"Opie was able to get her into nice rhythm after the early set-back and she gave a strong kick off the bend only to be run down late by two very good horses, in Azkadellia and Tuscan Sling.

"Her effort was excellent and in the end the early work she did told as they were able to get to her in the final 50m.

"She has improvement to come heading into her second-up start and she will step out next over 1600m in the Group 3 Matron Stakes at Flemington on Super Saturday (March 12)."

O'Brien's confidence is buoyed by Miss Rose De Lago's second-up run in the Spring, when the mare romped in by three-lengths at Group 3 level over a mile after running a half-length fourth-placing over 1400m at Group 2 level first-up.

"She showed during the Spring that she will be a force to be reckoned with next time out and we can't wait to get her to Flemington in a couple of weeks."

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