Kerrin McEvoy wrapped up an early double with a last to first win on Hosting in the Listed $120,000 APT Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield today.
Hosting came from well back in the field to win the Weekend Hussler Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
McEvoy steered Godolphin three year old Earthquake to an overdue win in the previous race, the Group 3 $150,000 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m), and is on track for a big day on Caulfield Guineas Day.
Hosting made it two wins from two starts this campaign and after winning in restricted class over 1300m at Sandown on September 27, trainer Greg Eurell was prepared to give the Host five year old his chance back in Saturday Class.
“The horse has always shown ability and its nice that he has made his mark again and get back into it,” winning trainer Greg Eurell said.
Hosting’s pattern of racing is to get back in his races but Eurell was a bit worried that McEvoy had him too far back, but the hot pace up front ensured that the run-on horses would get their chance in the straight.
“To start with I was a little bit worried. We really didn’t think he would be that far back, but as the race unfolded you could him just making to steady ground and put himself in the race.”
“Form the 600m to the 400m I was very happy with the way he was travelling.”
Eurelll will now map out the rest of the Spring Carnival for Hosting with the view of stepping him up to 1600m.
“He is certainly on song at the moment. The next couple of days we will sit down and see where he is at and have a good look and hope to find another one,” Eurell said.
“He is certainly bred to get the mile (1600m). The way he is going I think he will have a better opportunity this time.”
Hosting started at the good odds of $8.50 and arrived in time from back in the field to nail Taddei Tondo ($31) by a nose with Tango’s Daughter ($8) a neck away in third spot.
Equal favourite Turquise King ($4.40) had no luck in the straight before finishing fifth while Sistine Demon ($4.40) had to work hard in the first 400m as he crossed to the front and faded to finish seventh.
