Last season the Dundeel filly Hope In Your Heart contested the ATC Oaks, Surround Stakes and Vinery Stud Stakes, all at Group 1 level.
While she did not feature in any of those, it was a good indication of the regard trainer Kerry Parker held her in.
Coming off a last start win over 1500m at Rosehill, Hope In Your Heart came with a barnstorming finish under Tim Clark to land Friday's $200,000 Group III Yarraman Park Tibbie Stakes (1400m). She defeated the pacesetting Fastnet Rock mare Riduna with a long-neck back to the Medaglia d’Oro (USA) mare Katalin, who came from last.
Second in the Group III Kembla Grange Classic in March, Hope in Your Heart advances her record to four one two from 16 starts with earnings of $300,750.
“Today was a test,” Parker said.
“It set us up to see where we go. She is definitely up to those mares races, so it’s a nice stepping stone.
“To get black-type is super for her pedigree. I’ve had four out of the mare, and all have been city winners, but she is the first to get black-type.
“I’ve always had a huge opinion of her. She has just been a temperamental young lady who needed to grow up a little.”
A homebred for Alex and Deidre Illes, Hope In Your Heart is the best of five winners from seven to race out of the Montjeu mare Hayaat, purchased for a bargain basement $500 at a mixed sale in 2011.
From the family of Zabeel, Hayaat is a half-sister to Capacity, dam of Single Minded (Bachelor Duke), winner of the Group II Auckland Cup and Group II Avondale Gold Cup.
Hayaat foaled a Castelvecchio three-quarter brother to Hope In Your Heart last spring.
Hope In Your Heart is the 18th stakes-winner for Dundeel, who stands at Arrowfield Stud for $66,000.
