Coolmore champion Encosta de Lago sired his first G1 Coolmore Classic winner with Aloha on Saturday.  The Melbourne based mare established a clear lead in the heavy conditions to win by 2.5 lengths from Jersey Lily (Catbird) and Melito (Redoute’s Choice).

Trainer Mick Price has rated Aloha through the roof ever since her first win in wet conditions at Sandown in August 2009.  She was being set for that year’s G1 One Thousand Guineas but was sidelined after going amiss.

Aloha (4m Encosta De Lago – Tennessee Midnight by Danehill) returned for the 2010 autumn carnival was in the money at all five starts without breaking through.  She has come of age this season winning 7 of her 9 starts culminating with the Coolmore.

“I really like her,” Price said.  “She has made enormous improvement from an autumn three-year-old filly to a four-year-old mare.”

Aloha is raced by owner-breeder Gerry Harvey and is by Encosta De Lago from Flemington stakes winner Tennessee Midnight.  She is a younger half-sister to the dam of Group winning filly My Emotion (Savabeel).

Roy Thompson bought Tennessee Midnight’s yearling colt by More Than Ready for $160,000 at the 2011 Gold Coast Magic Millions.