Group II Triumph for Host's Eduardo

Mark Smith - Saturday October 20

After breaking his maiden at the first time of asking at Moe back in June, the lightly raced 5yo gelding Eduardo scaled the heights to win Saturday's Group II Caulfield Sprint (1000m) and credit aspiring young trainer Sarah Zschoke with her first stakes-winner.

The heavily-backed favourite was ridden by Zschoke's partner Brian Park, who has been on the son of Host (ARG) in all five starts including a last start second in the Group II Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.

Eduardo defeated She Knows (Denman) by three-quarters of a length with Bons Away (Bon Hoffa) a half-length away third. (photo Grant Courtney)


It advances his overall record to three wins and two seconds from five starts with earnings of $209,950.

"I can believe it, but I can't believe it," Zschoke said.

"It's so wonderful, he's just a real super horse.

"I like the way he switched off enough during the run. It was just brilliant, I'm really so happy.

"We always thought he was up to it, he does things so naturally.

Zschoke said she was hopeful that the win would lead her to getting more horses.

"We have just six horses so it would be really wonderful to get a few more horses in the team," she said.

Eduardo becomes the sixth stakes-winner for Hussonet's Argentinian-bred son Host (ARG) who now stands at Ralph and Linda Satchell's Willow Grove Stud in South Australia after beginning his career at Swettenham Stud.

Eduardo is the third winner from as many foals for the Fantastic Light (IRE) mare Blushing who has not been returned to the Stud Book since Eduardo was foaled in 2013.

She is a granddaughter of the Group III QTC Lightning Handicap winner Peggy Ann.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Host Enjoying Career Best Season
With progeny earnings for the current season approaching $1,5 million and taking his total progeny earnings worldwide to $9,89 million, Host continues to supply a steady stream of winners at an impressive rate.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.