Encosta Belief To Chase NZ Riches

Three-year-old Encosta Belief is shaping as Peter Moody's best chance to win a race in New Zealand after scoring an easy win at Sandown.

The gelding assured himself of a trip across the Tasman when he beat Imperial Command by a length in Wednesday's Kenvain Handicap (1400m).

He will be Moody's third New Zealand runner after Niagara Falls fininshed 13th in the Group Two Auckland Breeders Stakes in 2004 and Upstaged dead-heated for second in the 2006 Avondale Cup.

A $150,000 yearling, Encosta Belief's target is the $200,000 Karaka 3yo mile at Ellerslie on January 31 which is open to graduates of New Zealand's 2008 Karaka Sale.

Moody's racing manager Jeff O'Connor said Encosta Belief was an improving galloper and may have another run in Melbourne before his New Zealand trip.

He has now won two of his nine starts, including a Wodonga maiden, but he has run four seconds to some handy horses including Group One winner Denman at Kilmore last June.

"He is so workmanlike and professional," O'Connor said."You can do anything with him."

His older sister, Rockmount's own Saranah Gold, heads to Chris Waller on January 14th for an Autumn camapign.