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RACING HISTORY

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Graeme Nairn receives the trophy from Michelle Baird, Stud Manager, Roydon Lodge

The $25,000 Roydon Lodge NZ Two-Year-Old Trotting Stakes was won impressively by Hoops, one of only two fillies in the 13-horse field. Away quickly and soon in front for driver David Butt, Hoops went to the line strongly, beating Damian Carlos (by Sundon) by three lengths, followed in by On My Way (by Armbro Invasion) and Love Hate Revenge (by Holdonmyheart).

Hoops comes from an impeccable trotting nursery, that of Paul Nairn. His father Graeme is one of her owners, along with himself, Peter Willman and Tony Smith. She is by Above The Stars, who won 23 of his 52 starts, from Wintersport, a Game Pride mare from the family of Tussle, who had one win from 33 starts. Hoops is her second foal, and her third will be one to Call Me Now in the spring.

Above The Stars has sired 81 live foals, 26 of them the year Hoops was born. Since then he has served books of 22,21 and 16. Hoops is one of fourindividual winners by Above The Stars, preceded by Strassman (2 wins), Nicol Star and Alpha Centauri (2).

Nairn has a remarkable UDR record. Only three times in the past 20 years has it been below .2000, and on eight occasions he has had it above .3000.

Credit: Mike Grainger writing in HRWeekly 26May04