Swettenham Stud freshman Host sired his first winner at Ballarat’s twilight meeting on Thursday.

Flying Hostess (2f Host – Ardent Command by Commands) scored a courageous victory in the Dowling Forest Equine Maiden (1000m) after being headed in the straight.  

She found plenty in the final furlong to defeat Chasing Kisses (Hidden Dragon) by three quarters of a length and they streeted the rest of the field by three lengths.

Trained locally by Darren Weir, the Host filly had been placed behind top-flight youngster Alezan Thunder at Sandown on Christmas Eve and she went right on with the job second-up.

Flying Hostess was a $25,000 buy from Evergreen Lodge at the 2011 Inglis Classic yearling sale.  She is bred to improve with racing being a close relation of Group 1 WATC Derby winner Firing Range (Kala Dancer).  Her dam Ardent Command was bred back to Host in September.

Host (Chi) stands at Swettenham Stud and he is the third son of Hussonet to open his account this season following Husson (Patinack) and Husson Lightning (Heytesbury).

“It’s very encouraging to see the sireline taking off in Australia,” Swettenham Stud owner Adam Sangster said.  “We’ve been getting very positive reports from trainers with Host two year-olds and that augurs well for his second crop coming up at the yearling sales.”

Weir confirmed those comments shortly after Flying Hostess led from barrier to box at Ballarat.  “She’s been a professional filly from the day we put her in work,” Weir explained.  “She was strong on the line and there’s plenty of upside to her.

“We were going to back her up at Caulfield last week but I decided to take the easier option and let her win one at home.  I’ll see how she pulls up before making a decision on whether to tip her out or keep going for a stakes race at Adelaide.”

If Flying Hostess stays in training, Weir will keep her fresh with plenty of beach work and aim for the Listed Queen Adelaide Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville on February 4.

Host campaigned at the top level throughout his racing career and had a devastating turn of foot that took him to Group 1 victories in the Chilean 2000 Guineas and Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland.

He sires absolutely stunning types that will suit Australian conditions and trainers, like Darren Weir, report they are great moving horses with balance and a huge overstep.

Host stands for a $7,000 (inc gst) service fee and Swettenham has two colts and two fillies from his second crop catalogued for the 2012 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.