Star 3YO fillies at the top of their game

By David Brehaut (HRV)

Amore Vita and Encipher left no doubt they will be at the top of their game when they renew their rivalry in the Group 1 $130,000 Always B Miki Vicbred Super Series final for three-year-old fillies at Melton on New Year’s Eve.

The Emma Stewart-trained pair signalled they are primed for another big-time clash with eye-catching semi-final wins at Tabcorp Park on Friday night.

They have met six times with Encipher beating home Amore Vita on four occasions.

However, one of the races in which Amore Vita did claim bragging rights was in the VSS final for two-year-old fillies when she was prepared by Nathan Purdon.

So can she complete the double?

Encipher staked her claim for a fifth Group 1 victory by cruising home in the semi-final.

She gave Kate Gath an armchair drive, living up to her short price and going to the line as she liked.

Stewart produced the trifecta, with Beach Life coming off the back of Encipher in front to get second, while Soho Historia was a clear third after working into the breeze.

Encipher has now won her past six starts, including the Victoria Oaks and Breeders Crown final for three-year-old fillies.

Her stunning career record stands at 13 wins from 20 starts for $510,000 in earnings.

Gath told TrotsVision that Encipher, as always, had done just what she had to do.

She said on this occasion the daughter of Captaintreacherous had finished with a big last quarter (26.2), reinforcing she could do it all.

“She’s such a lovely horse.

“She has always been so professional – a dream to drive. She knows where the finish line is,” Gath said.

For Amore Vita, it was her first win in five starts for Stewart, having joined the premier stable after Purdon closed down his Victorian training operation and returned to New Zealand.

Amore Vita worked up to the leaders turning for home and then charged away from her stablemates Petillante and Talk Time as Stewart produced the trifecta.

Stewart has eight runners in the three-year-old fillies’ final.