Host filly maintains strike-rate for Sadler

Promising Geelong winner Marli Magic has maintained John Sadler’s strike-rate since rejoining Aquanita Racing.

The daughter of Swettenham Stud sire Host (Chi) ran down Young Girl to win the Hyland Racing Colours Hcp (1300m) by a neck on Friday. Sadler’s son Thomas didn’t panic when Young Girl pinched a break in the straight. He kept the filly balanced and in touch before setting out after the tearaway leader.

Marli Magic (3f Host – Unlimited Passage by Giant’s Causeway) made it a family affair for the Sadlers. She is part-owned by John’s sister Helen.

Sadler returned to Aquanita on June 1 and has hit the ground running training five winners headed by talented mare Vain Queen. “It was a tough effort from Marli Magic to work home and win on Friday,” he said. “She will win better races but doesn’t like wet tracks. I will send her to the paddock now and bring her back for the summer.”

Marli Magic was initially trained by Mat Ellerton and Simon Zahra and had won her maiden in a Super VOBIS race at Kilmore in November.

Swettenham sold her for $50,000 at the 2012 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale. She has an unraced younger brother by Host named Hong Kong Captain with David Hayes – he was an $85,000 buy at the 2013 Melbourne Premier.

Their dam Unlimited Passage has a filly foal by Equiano and was bred back to the King of Speed last year. It’s a family that’s produced stakes winners for Swettenham’s Sangster family for several generations going back to champion Godswalk filly Pure Of Heart.

Host (Chi) has averaged over 100 mares in his last two seasons at Swettenham and will stand for an $8,800 (inc gst) service fee in 2014.