Only five runners went to the post for the Ladbroke It Hcp (1300m) for two-year-old fillies at Sandown-Hillside on Wednesday, but it was not short on drama.
The heavily backed debutant Starianne raced fiercely at the tail of the field for Daniel Moor. By the time the daughter of Sebring decided to settle, it was time to go forward.
The Danny O’Brien-trained Hoops was making her third start, and her experience showed. Damien Oliver had the Tivaci filly travelling sweetly behind the leader Impel. When the leader left the rail, Hoops stuck close to the fence. After fighting off Impel and Invader Bird, Hoops repelled the challenge of the fast-finishing Starianne by a half-neck with Invader Bird (Invader) three-quarter of a length back in third.
“She learned from last prep where she had a couple of runs over unsuitable distances,” stable rep Matt Harrington said.
“1300m is still short of what her best trip will be, but she was strong through the line and has a promising future.
“She will definitely handle a mile and beyond. Her Plusvital DNA test shows she can get 2000m and a bit beyond that, so we will take her through her grades and hopefully get to better races later on.
“The biggest query was the heavy 9. You don’t really know until you let their head go, but she powered through it well, so there are a few options for her.”
From the family of Sacred Falls, Hoops was purchased by her trainer for $190,000 from the Waikato Stud draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He is the first foal of the unraced Savabeel mare Caramel Sundae, a daughter of the top-class Shopaholic (Pins), whose five wins included the Group II MRC Angus Armanasco Stake and Group III VRC Vanity Stakes.
Bahen Bloodstock shelled out $350,000 for Caramel Sundae’s Tivaci colt at the Gold Coast in January.
Caramel Sundae has a weanling filly by Ocean Park and was covered by him again last spring.
Group 1 ATC All-Ages Stakes winner Tivaci (High Chaparral) stands at Waikato Stud in 2022 for a fee of $20,000.
