The well-travelled Camelot gelding Hosier (IRE) rewarded his new connection with a maiden stakes success in Saturday’s James Squire Premier's Cup (2000m) at Randwick.
Ridden by Jason Collett for Mark Minervini, the consistent 7yo gelding defeated the 7yo Mastercraftsman (IRE) gelding Military Mission (IRE) by one and a quarter lengths with the 7yo Toronado (IRE) gelding Bois D'argent (GB) back in third.
Hosier (IRE) arrived in Australia after placing once in two starts for Joseph O’Brien in Ireland. He won five of seven for Robert Hickmott and two of four for Kris Lees before Minervini Racing shelled out $100,000 to secure him at the 2023 Inglis May (Late) Online Sale.
With his stakes breakthrough, Hosier (IRE) advances his record to eight two one from 17 starts with earnings of $516,190.
“He came to us in great order. I didn’t know him that well, although he was trained at Newcastle (by Kris Lees),” Mark Minervini said.
“I obviously knew he was a quality horse. We’ve got a lot of young horses and we’ve got a lot of country and provincial horses, but we needed a Saturday city-grade horse.
“I said to my owners, ‘there’s no doubt he’s a Saturday, city-grade horse and if we can’t win a race with him, we should give it away’. \
“I’m proud of him. He’s a quirky horse, he’s got an unbelievable temperament and I’ve enjoyed the challenge of training him.
“I think there is still plenty more to come. I’d like to buy another four or five of them. Job’s done for him. We’ll nominate him for everything in the spring, whether he goes to a Newcastle Cup, Wyong Cup, the Caulfield Cup, ‘Tin’ Cup, whatever, we’ll find a race for him for sure.”
Jason Collett said he was confident of fighting out the finish.
“He travelled so well today, I think the soft ground was definitely helping,” he said.
“He went to the start, he was a lot freer in his action and he just travelled the whole way. I just felt like I had control and it was a matter of making sure I didn’t go too early.”
Hosier was purchased by Joseph O’Brien for €110 000 from the La Motteraye consignment at the 2018 Arqana August Yearling Sale.
He is the best of three winner from six to race for the Group 1 Prix Diane runner-up Time Ahead (Spectrum), a half-sister to Group III Musidora Stakes winner and multiple Group 1 placed Time Away (Darshaan), and a granddaughter of the champion Time Charter.
