Hooper hoping for Vicbred glory

Nick Hooper exemplifies the excitement and emotions breeders with harness racing runners in Group 1 Vicbred Super Series finals on Saturday (Dec. 31) will be feeling.

“When you breed a horse, they’re like your children,” the Harness Breeders Victoria president says. “You’ve known the dam and been part of the decision-making processes.

“You’ve ridden the ups and downs of foaling and seen them since day one.

“You develop a relationship with them. It’s a wonderful ride.”

Hooper will continue that ride with three of his standardbred “children” – two as an owner and all trained by Jess Tubbs – at Melton on Saturday night.

As a breeder he has Dichotomy (Aldebaran Eagle) in the $100,000 Aldebaran Park Dancinginthedark M Vicbred Super Series two-year-old trotting fillies’ final, Aureus in the $130,000 Art Major VSS two-year-old pacing fillies’ decider and Copacabana in the $100,000 Aldebaran Park Skyvalley VSS showdown for four-year-old trotting mares.

He also owns Aureus and Copacabana.

Hooper is hopeful of seeing at least one of the three salute and is confident one, maybe two, will manage a podium finish.

Dichotomy, who Hooper bred in partnership with Paul Graydon and was sold to the Tubbs family while her dam was still in foal, kicks-off the night.

“I’ve followed her progress closely and she’s done a fantastic job,” he said.

The daughter of Aldebaran Eagle has two Group 1 placings – a second in the Vicbred Platinum Home Grown Classic and third in the Breeders Crown.

Hooper believes she is again a chance to run into the money.

Aureus is out of Siliqua, a mare Hooper purchased as a yearling and raced.

“She’s a lovely horse and has had a really good season (winning the Sapling Stakes),” he said.

Hooper said Aureus did a great job to make the decider, running the fastest last mile, half and quarter of her semi-final.

Copacabana, also bred by Hooper in partnership with Graydon, won her Vicbred heat and has an impressive record of eight wins, but did not have the best of starts.

Hooper said she “lost the plot” as a two-year-old and it was the persistence of Tubbs and Greg Sugars after a stable change that turned things around.

“She’s a real favourite of mine,” he said. “I believe she can win.”

As well as his own interests, Hooper is also casting an eye over the Vicbred Super Series finals as HBV president.

“I applaud all breeders with starters, especially member breeders, and wish them all the best in the finals,” he said.

For complete race entries, click here.

by David Brehaut, for HRV