Tivaci’s daughter a surprise packet

Planned Encounter delivered connections a pleasant surprise on Wednesday afternoon when she overpowered her Doomben rivals on debut.

Trainer Neil Hocking admitted after the race that he would have been satisfied if the three-year-old daughter of Tivaci had finished in behind the major players.

However, the Waikato Stud graduate exceeded all expectations when she powered home from last on the turn for a decisive first-up victory in the hands of Michael Hellyer.

“I think she’ll be better over further, that’s why I kicked her off over 1350 metres, but I would have been happy if she had beaten a couple home,” Hockings said.

Planned Encounter had originally been purchased out of Waikato Stud’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft by the Queensland-based TFI for $140,000 and then secured for A$23,000 when re-offered during the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

“I’ve only had her for a couple of months and the breeding really intrigued me,” Hocking said.

Planned Encounter is a sister to recent Sandown winner Okay Cupid with their dam the multiple stakes placegetter Date Night, a daughter of Savabeel whose Super Seth colt sold to Mitchel Bloodstock and trainer Annabel Neasham at Karaka this year for $230,000.

Date Night had a Super Seth filly last season and is now back in foal to Tivaci.