Swettenham Stud sire Host (Chi) continued his climb up the second-season sires’ ladder when Surprise Us won by three lengths at Morphettville on Tuesday.

Host is second to Casino Prince on the Australian winners’ premiership (and a mile in front on percentages) with 8 winners from 17 starters this season.  He is also fourth on the prizemoney table behind Hunter Valley sires Casino Prince, Haradasun and Bernardini.

Surprise Us (3g Host – Tylden Lady by Zabeel) looked the winner a long way from home when stretching out to 1600m in the Port Adelaide Maiden Plate.  He started a $4.20 favourite and was part of a winning treble for trainers Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas.

“I watched the win on Sky Channel at Flemington and couldn’t believe it was the same horse,” Macdonald said.  “He was green and a bit ordinary during his first campaign earlier this year.

“But he’s really starting to mature now and looked nice and balanced on Tuesday.  I know some of the other trainers reckon the Hosts will keep improving as autumn three year-olds and I agree with them.

“We will probably give Surprise Us another run and then turn him out for a spell.  His dam is a Zabeel mare so he should get over more ground next time in.”

Surprise Us is raced by Ed Betro and Noel Nietz and cost $26,000 from Oakford Thoroughbreds at the 2011 Adelaide Magic Millions.  Oakford owner Brian McKnight also sold recent Host winner Tronador for $36,000 at the same auction.

Surprise Us is bred to keep progressing being out of a sister to the dam of G1 Queensland Derby winner Shootoff (Duelled).

Host (Hussonet) stands for a $7,500 (inc gst) service fee at Swettenham Stud.  For further information, breeders can contact Swettenham nominations manager Chris Belli on 0417 514 552 or Swettenham owner Adam Sangster on 0418 543 633.

Last-start Host winners Joplin (Race 1) and Host Of The Party (Race 7) are both engaged at Flemington on Thursday.

– Karl Patterson

SURPRISE US
Host winner pictured as a yearling prior to Adelaide Magic Millions