“Brings Dad back into the sport”

ALTHOUGH the feature is a far cry from its heyday, Craig Hoban was thrilled to win last week’s Yarra Valley Cup with a pacer so strongly connected to his late father, Gary.

Hoban was triumphant with Give Dave A Wave, a son of former top performer, Dancingwithsierra.

Trained by Gary, who co-owned the mare with Craig, Dancingwithsierra’s victories include the 2016 Tasmania Oaks.

“He is a late bloomer and only started racing this season, but shows his share of promise,” Hoban said. “It wasn’t quite the Yarra Valley Cup of old, but he’s picked up another win nonetheless, so I’m rapt.

“I’m happy anytime he gets a win as it just brings Dad back into the sport in my mind.”

Driven by Hoban, Give Dave A Wave was caught wide from barrier six before being settled two-back in the running line as Jay Bee led from gate two.

Angled three-wide along the back straight, Give Dave A Wave sustained a strong sprint to score by two metres from Dressed In Gold, with Shaq a metre away third.

“He won his heat quite easily and had been working great since, so I was pretty confident with him,” Hoban said. “He ran exactly up to expectations and I couldn’t be happier with him.

“That’s three wins and a second from his last six starts, so he’s certainly in good form.

“It’s going to get harder for him as he keeps going up in grade, but I’m confident he will go a fair way further.”

HOOFNOTE: This year’s Yarra Valley Cup offered stakes of $10,000, taking it back to the 1986 level!