About this time last year, at the very same racetrack, Mornington, two unraced three year old colts, Hosting and Philippi, won at their first start, both were by Host, and what an impression they created.

The phones began ringing as if there was no tomorrow, breeders wanted to book their mares to the South American import.

Twelve months down the track it was not quite a repeat of last year but still a positive result for Swettneham, when Tuff Host led all the way to win the opening race, a Maiden Handicap.

There is quite a local flavour about the win as the gelding was bred, raced and trained, on the Mornington Peninsula.

Tuff Host was bred by Tony and Julie Biddle, they race the gelding under the name of Coronation Investments, he is in the stable of former champion jumps jockey, Brett Scott.

The gelding began well, with jockey, Luke Currie, allowing him to bowl along in the lead, when seriously challenged on the home turn he was expected to give up, except he kept on going to the delight of those that supported him.

Tuff Host is by Host, out of Coronationprincess, by Strategic, with four Golden Slipper Stakes winners appearing in her pedigree to the fourth remove.

Tony and Julie have put together a nicely bred group of stud matrons; they have studied their bloodlines carefully, as you become aware of the breeding characteristics of your mares, an advantage when it comes time to mate them.

Tuff Host an all the way winner