A break beckons for Held Hostage before connections aim higher in the autumn, following her win at Flemington.
Given a perfect ride by Craig Williams, Held Hostage ($7) scored by 1-1/2 lengths from Clang And Bang ($41) with Shenzhou Steeds ($31) 1-1/4 lengths away third.
Adelaide-based trainer Phillip Stokes said Held Hostage would now be looking at adding ‘black type’ to her name in the autumn.
Stokes said the Adelaide carnival in March would be discussed with owner Sean Buckley and other members of the Ultra Racing Syndicate as an option for the nicely bred mare.
“She’s gone from winning a class one at Gawler to winning here,” Stokes said.
“She’ll go to the paddock now and I’ll talk to Sean and the boys but we might have to lift the bar a little as she’s quite capable.
“There’s some nice black type races in Adelaide and that’s what it’s all about with a well-bred mare like this.”
Stokes also praised the ride of Williams who came out with a plan and pulled it off to perfection.
Held Hostage had won three races in succession in Adelaide before finishing second in the Tokyo City Cup at Morphettville before heading to Caulfield, finishing fifth on the middle day of the Caulfield carnival last month.
“When the barrier draw came out it looked a bit ‘iffy’ but the more I went into the race and watched her tapes I felt I had the right horse to do it,” Williams said.
“If she had of had any luck last time and had drawn a gate the start before she would have won her last six races.
