Trainer Luke Pepper believes his Host (Chi) mare Zuccherina has further wins in store after a tough on-pace victory in the Shuffle Master Hcp (1425m) on Sunday.

Zuccherina (4m Host – Pure Sugar by Arena) sprinted to the lead at the top of the straight and then dug out a half-length victory on her home track at Moruya.  “She always showed ability but wasn’t very big early on,” Pepper said.  “I’ve had an opinion of her from Day 1.”

The daughter of Swettenham Stud sire Host put the writing on the wall first-up after a 21 week spell at Kembla Grange last month.  “That run was super – they only caught her late,” Pepper said.  “I had her nominated for Wagga but that meeting got washed out and she was a little bit soft at Kembla.”

Zuccherina was bred by Bert and Jenny Hatton and, due to being on the small side, made just $5,000 at the 2011 Inglis Classic Sale.  The Hattons also raced Zuccherina’s dam Pure Sugar to a Canterbury win before retiring her to stud.

The mare races for a syndicate that includes Peter and Tony Callipari, Joe Carbone and Frank Genua.  “She’s matured into a lovely mare,” Pepper said.  “The boys are rapt with her.”

Host (Chi) is standing at Swettenham Stud for a $9,900 (inc gst) fee this year.  His brilliant last-start Sandown winner Hosting has been nominated for two events at Rosehill next Saturday including the G2 Theo Marks Quality (1400m).

Trainer Greg Eurell is setting Hosting for the G1 Epsom Hcp (1600m) at Randwick on October 5.

Meanwhile, Host is ready to fire on another front in Hong Kong with his G2 Australian winner Philippi.  Now named Vanilla, he is being trained by Caspar Fownes for new owner Edmond Siu Kim Ping.