Lightly-raced gelding Hosting proved he’s on track for the spring carnival with a powerful win at Sandown on Wednesday.
Trainer Greg Eurell has always held the son of Swettenham sire Host (Chi) in high regard and he raced right up to that rating in the Le Pine Funerals Hcp (1200m). Given time to settle by Chris Symonds, he accelerated in the straight to trounce a talented field first-up after a 26 week spell.
“He came here without a trial so there’s lots of improvement to come,” Eurell said. “He’s in all the right races but it all depended on what happened today.”
Hosting (4g Host – Kali Smytzer by Zabeel) holds Group 1 nominations for the Epsom Hcp at Randwick (Oct 5), Caulfield Cup (Oct 19) and Cox Plate at Moonee Valley (Oct 26).
“He disappointed us in the Australian Guineas so we adopted a ‘wait and see’ outlook,” Eurell said at Sandown. “That was a big effort to win over 1200 metres. He let go like a good horse and was strong on the line. We have to build up his rating but he’s on track going on that performance.”
Hosting turned heads with a runaway victory on debut at Mornington almost 12 month ago. Resuming in February, he was placed in the LR Manfred Stakes at Caulfield and G3 C S Hayes Stakes at Flemington in the lead-up to the G1 Australian Guineas.
He tailed off last in the Guineas and Symons could offer no reason for the disappointing performance. And a post race vet exam revealed no abnormalities.
“He was gelded and his attitude has improved,” Symons explained on Wednesday. “Blinkers have also helped and he’s ready to step up in distance with that run under his belt.
“We got a nice cart into the race and he dived straight through a gap when the split came. He’s an exciting horse.”
Host (Hussonet) is gearing up for another big book at Swettenham after covering 126 mares last year. While parading at the Stud’s open day on Sunday, owner Adam Sangster confirmed Host’s fee has been increased to $9,900 (inc gst).
Hosting is one of 28 winners from Host’s first crop. Dual Group 2 winner Philippi topped the list leading to his sale to Hong Kong. And Host Of The Party was all set to complete the Top End Triple Crown earlier this month before the Darwin Cup was abandoned.
For further information on the Swettenham Stud roster, broodmare owners can contact Sangster (0418 543 633) or Business Development Manager Chris Belli (0417 514 552).
HOST
Swettenham sire on parade at Nagambie last Sunday