Successful family strikes again

A family that has served Waikato Stud so well was again to the fore at More on Friday afternoon.

Farm graduate Hoops produced a tidy staying performance for trainer Danny O’Brien to win over 2050 metres in the hands of Ben Melham.

Last season’s Listed Tasmanian Oaks runner-up, the daughter of Tivaci settled in the trail and when a gap presented 200 metres from home, she burst between runners to claim her third career victory and second from her last three appearances.

“She has really come on this preparation and definitely matured both mentally and physically. She is really flying,” stable representative Kylie Wells said.

Successful jockey Ben Melham said he had a few anxious moments before he was able to get the four-year-old into clear air.

“She began a bit awkwardly, but I was able to get her into a good spot and had to sweat on a run and when it came, she accelerated really well.”

Hoops is the first foal of the unraced Savabeel mare Caramel Sundae and was purchased by O’Brien at the Magic Millions Coast Yearling Sale for A$190,000.

Caramel Sundae is a daughter of the multiple Group winner Shopaholic and the family of late multiple Group 1 winner and successful sire Sacred Falls.

She also has an unraced three-year-old Tivaci, who was purchased by Bahen Bloodstock for A$350,000 at the Gold Coast last year.

The mare has subsequently produced a pair of Ocean Park fillies and is due to foal to Tivaci.