Flying Hostess turned full circle for her sire and trainer Darren Weir at Caulfield on Boxing Day.

The four year-old mare was the first winner for Swettenham Stud stallion Host back in January 2012.  And after opening her account at Ballarat, Weir predicted she would develop into a city class galloper.

Flying Hostess (4m Host – Ardent Command by Commands) fulfilled that promise with a determined victory in the Frank O’Brien Hcp (1600m) at Caulfield on Thursday.  “She’s been a professional from the day we put her in work,” Weir said.  “She’s been runner-up in her last three starts in town and hasn’t had much luck.

“She can hit a flat spot so I told Dean (Yendall) to be positive.  It was a terrific ride and a fully deserved win.”

Flying Hostess grabbed the leader Winta Chilla at the top of the straight and defied running down to score by three-quarters of a length.  “The plan was to be pro-active and we landed in the right spot,” Yendell said.  “She’s a tough mare and is a pleasure to ride.”

The winner banked $60,000 to increase her earnings to over $178,000.  She cost $25,000 at the 2011 Inglis Classic yearling sale.

A second Host – Ardent Command foal was the top-priced filly at the Great Southern Sale in May making $38,000 to a Victorian based client of Inglis.  Ardent Command foaled another filly by Swettenham sire Master Of Design in August.

Host (Chi) is in the Top 10 on the Australian third-season sires’ premiership and his next generation of yearlings will be offered at the Melbourne Premier Sale in March.

Among his lots is the brother to Group 2 winner Philippi (Lot 567).  The chestnut colt is also a half-brother to The Quarterback (Street Boss) who was last seen winning at Bairnsdale and Sale in October.