Kylie Hoskin scored the biggest win of her career when Geneva took out the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday.
The South Auckland trainer is enjoying a golden run with the son of Time Test, who gave Hoskin her first taste of elite-level when third in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie earlier this month, and he was able to go two better on Saturday to give her her first stakes victory.
Geneva was only fair away from his ace barrier, but jockey Rory Hutchings clicked him up to maintain his advantage on the rail and take the lead. The pair were able to dictate terms upfront, and Geneva kicked away on the turn and won as he liked, running out a comfortable 1-1/2 length victor over Circus Trix, with a further nose back to King Jakkal in third.
“He jumped and ended up being a bit awkward when he hit the ground,” Hutchings said. “I saw a bit of speed coming from out wide and I was keen to lead on him today and let him use that big stride.
“I had to use him a bit going into that first corner, but he dropped it (bit) down the back and we controlled the race from then on in and he toyed with them up the straight.
“Kylie has done a good job with him, he hasn’t been the easiest over time. He is certainly going to be a better chaser when races suit, but today wasn’t that day, and he got the job done.”
Hoskin was rapt to get the victory but admitted to being slightly anxious when seeing him setting the pace upfront.
“It is so exciting, I love this horse,” she said. “The owners have given me the opportunity with him and I just couldn’t be more pleased.
“When he is out in front like that, I worry he is doing it a bit hard and he sets it up for those horses to come from behind. I have always rated his ability, so to see him do it like that today was really exciting.”
Hoskin is now eyeing a trip across the Tasman with her charge to contest the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on May 2.
“We are thinking about going to Aussie with him,” she said. “Although he has done a lot of racing he does really well, he eats well and comes through his races well.”
Geneva was bred and is raced by Jomara Bloodstock’s John, Mark and Racheal Carter, and he is out of two-win mare Charli Rose, a half-sister to Group Two performer Mr Mojo Risin’.
Geneva has now won three of his 12 starts and has earned more than $250,000 in prizemoney. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
