Planned Encounter Proving a Shrewd Investment

Mark Smith - Wednesday August 2

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.

Advertisement

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.

Planned Encounter a $140,000 Karaka yearling

“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 a $23,000 National Broodmare purchase.

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. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Celebrating Horses' Birthday Mdn 1350m

Doomben Track: Good(4) Time: 1:22.41
1
Planned Encounter
- 3f Tivaci (AUS) x Date Night (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Neil Hocking Rdr: M Hellyer 55
2
0.5
Totspur
- 3g Jet Spur (AUS) x Teo's Belle (AUS) (Teofilo (IRE))
Tnr: B C Baker Rdr: M Cahill 57
3
1.8
Kenshin Maru
- 3c Snitzel (AUS) x Satono Sapphire (JPN) (Stay Gold (JPN))
Tnr: Louise White Rdr: Tiffani Brooker 57
4
2.4
Two Of Us
- 3f Spill The Beans (AUS) x Ambers Choise (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: S W Kendrick Rdr: Luke Tarrant 55
5
3.3
Clubhouse
- 3g Spieth (NZ) x Inforawaltz (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: Marcus Wilson Rdr: S T Collett 57
6
3.4
Thredbo
- 3f Wicked Intent (AUS) x Samui Beauty (AUS) (Street Hero (USA))
Tnr: S Jokic Rdr: Melea Castle 52
7
3.8
Gold 'n' Glamorous
- 3f Moonlark (USA) x Iadore Barbie Girl (AUS) (Gold Bold And Rich (USA))
Tnr: A J & T Edmonds Rdr: Martin Harley 56
More Reading...
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.