Hoskin enjoys first taste of Australian racing

Kylie Hoskin’s first foray into Australian racing didn’t deliver the desired result last Saturday, but it has whet her appetite for more and she is keen to undertake future campaigns if an opportunity presents itself.

Hoskin crossed the Tasman with her Group One performer Geneva (NZ) (Time Test) last week to contest the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Mophettville where they were met by unsuitable wet conditions, and the son of Time Test performed accordingly, beating just one runner home.

“It absolutely poured down all day,” Hoskin said. “It said it was a Soft7 but it looked worse than that to me, the jockeys were coming in and taking off their goggles and it looked like they had been in a steeplechase race, they were covered in mud.

“When Rory (Hutchings, jockey) handed up the lead to the horse that came outside of him and they put the brakes on, he just over raced badly, so that didn’t help. Rory said in hindsight he should have continued to lead because he was in a nice rhythm.”

While disappointed with the result, Hoskin enjoyed her time in Australia and said the trip was a great learning experience, and something she would be keen to do again.

“He has come through it well all things considered,” she said.

“The whole experience was great. It was great being over there meeting trainers and other people and seeing how other training centres and racetracks are run. We have certainly learned a lot while we were there even though the result wasn’t quite what we wanted.

“It was my first time doing it and logistically it was a bit of a bumpy ride, but I feel pretty confident now knowing a few more contacts. Everyone over there were really helpful, they went above and beyond, and I certainly wouldn’t have any qualms about doing it again.”

While he didn’t finish his season on a high, Geneva has enjoyed a fruitful three-year-old term, which included victory in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic  (2100m) and placing in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), and Hoskin said with improving racing manners he will be an exciting proposition in the spring.

“He has got it all there, but the over racing has always been a little bit of a problem with him when he gets in behind them,” Hoskin said.

“Even in the New Zealand Derby, Ben Thompson (jockey) said he pulled the whole way. He still needs to hone his craft a little bit. I think his big stride length doesn’t help when they go slowly, he needs a genuine tempo just so he can get in that nice rhythm.”

Geneva is now spending a few days in South Australia before he makes the trip back to New Zealand, via Melbourne, later this week where he will enjoy a spell before returning in the spring.

“He is at Angaston Park at the moment, Aaron Bain took him home from the races for me so he could spend a couple of days in the paddock,” Hoskin said. “He will head back to Melbourne on Thursday and he flies home on Sunday.

“He has been up a long time, I have asked a lot of him this prep, so he will have a good spell and I am really excited for the spring. He looks a genuine stayer, he is getting stronger all the time, so if we can sort out the over racing we will be away.”

Meanwhile, Hoskin will head to Ellerslie on Wednesday where she has received unfavourable draws for her handful of contenders, with a couple unlikely to take their place as a result.

“I had five horses entered and didn’t get a single digit barrier draw,” she said.

Go Racing gelding Night Wolf (NZ) (Merchant Navy) is a dual acceptor for the meeting and Hoskin is leaning towards starting him in the Eagle Technology 1500.

The three-year-old son of Merchant Navy has been a consistent performer, placing in four of his five starts, and Hoskin is hoping he can break through for a deserved maiden victory at the midweek meeting.

“He is another one that has been up for a little while because he keeps threatening to win a race but hasn’t,” Hoskin said.

“I thought his last start at Ellerslie was one of his best runs. He can sometimes look a little dour coming to the finish line, but he was running on really nicely.

“I think with extra ground and Sam McNab back on he is a pretty good chance.”

Hoskin is also upbeat about the prospects of Transaction (NZ) (Ocean Park), who will be fresh-up in the Auckland Co-op Taxis 1100 where she will jump from barrier 10 with Samantha Collett aboard.

“We were going to head to the Avondale trials with her a fortnight ago, but she had a bit of a foot issue, which is resolved now,” Hoskin said.

“We decided to take her to Ellerslie fresh-up over 1100m and she goes pretty well fresh usually. Sam Collett is on and she knows her well, so she will get a nice sit in behind and will be hitting the line strongly.”

Looking ahead to the weekend, Hoskin is hopeful Opera Belle (NZ) (Reliable Man) can gain a start in the Listed Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup (2200m) at Arawa Park on Saturday.

“Her owners would love her to run in the Rotorua Cup because she won very well at the same distance at Rotorua on a Heavy track last year,” Hoskin said.

“I am not sure she will make the field, but I see the weather is looking like it is Opera Belle weather (wet), so that might keep a few away."