Weekend black-type beckons Hosting

Swettenham Stud stallion Host sired his latest maiden winner at Swan Hill on Monday and his next black-type winner could come as early as this Saturday at Caulfield.

Holy Host (4g Host – She Lago by Encosta De Lago) broke through in the AG Farm Maiden winning by four lengths eased down by Brad Rawiller. It was his first time stretching out to 1600 metres and made the long trip to Sunraysia worthwhile for Caulfield trainer Luke Oliver.

“He has been looking for the mile and won in the style of a horse that won’t be a stranger to the winners stall,” Oliver predicted. “He’s a strong and athletic and is the first one I’ve trained by Host who is really hitting his straps.”

Oliver also prepared his winning half-brother Greystone (Dash For Cash). Their dam She Lago won at Flemington and Sandown for part-owners Tom Molnar and Peter Walsh and they are both in a much larger syndicate that races Holy Host.

Hosting (5g Host – Kali Smytzer by Zabeel) is overdue to bank a black-type win and he’s right in the mix for the LR Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield this Saturday.

He was a stylish first-up winner at Sandown last month and does have winning form second-up at Rosehill. He was also placed second-up over 1400 metres in the G3 C S Hayes Stakes at Flemington last year.

Trainer Greg Eurell and his staff worked hard to get Hosting back to the track after the gelding cracked a femur which kept him sidelined for six months. ”The vets assured us he would make a good recovery and they were right,” Eurell said. “I knew he was fit enough to run a bold race at Sandown and he overhauled the front-runners with a strong finish.”

Hosting would be a fitting winner this Saturday for owners John Hampton, Patsy Harrison, Graham & Marjorie Olive, Nick & Michael Tozer, Kevin Williams and Graeme Yeomans. His sire Host and Weekend Hussler are both sons of champion sire Hussonet.

Host (Chi) is standing for an $8,800 (inc gst) service fee at Swettenham Stud.