Neil Hocking arrived at Doomben with little expectations for his debutant Planned Encounter, although it has been all upside for the daughter of Tivaci since being plucked out of the National Broodmare Sale in May as an unraced 2yo filly.
Ridden by Micheal Hellyer, the $26 outsider of the field launched from the tail of the field to defeat Totspur (Jet Spur) by a half-length, with Kenshin Maru (Snitzel) one and a quarter length back in third in the Celebrating Horses' Birthday Maiden (1350m) for the new season 3yos.
A $140,000 purchase for Tony Fung from the Waikato Stud draft at Karaka in 2022, Planned Encounter finished third of four in a barrier trial at Beaudesert when trained by Kacy Fogden in March and was catalogued for the National Broodmare Sale a month later.
Owner Shum Rane had the final say at $23,000 for the daughter of Tivaci, which was in the draft of Blue Sky Premium Consignment.
Planned Encounter prepped for her debut with a fifth in a trial at Deagon on July 11, which failed to impress trainer Neil Hocking and punters alike.
“I thought if she beat a couple home, it would be fine,” Hocking admitted.
“We thought she would be better over further, which is why I started her over 1350m first-up.
“I’ve only had her a few months. I picked her up at the Magic Millions National Sale. She was an Aquis horse and was not really the type of horse I would be looking for, but the breeding intrigued me.
“I won’t give her too many (starts). I will tip her out and bring her back, as she still has plenty of growing to do.”
Planned Encounter is the second foal of the Group II-placed Savabeel mare Date Night a daughter of multiple Group III winner Dating (O’Reilly).
At the time of her sale, Planned Encounter’s brother Okay Cupid has been unplaced in two starts for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, but he has been in rare form of late.
After finishing second in a maiden on a heavy track at Bendigo on June 29, Okay Cupid has impressed with wins at Geelong and Sandown.
Mitchell Bloodstock / Annabel Neasham Racing bought a Super Seth half-sister to Planned Encounter and Okay Cupid for $280,000 at Karaka in January.
