Born-again sprinter-miler Hoba West shouldered 59kg to see off front-runner Multinational in a rousing renewal of the LR Hannans Hcp (1400m) in Kalgoorlie on Thursday.
Hoba West (7g Epaulette – Hoba by Northern Meteor) arrived at Summer Dickson’s Port Kennedy stable twelve months ago with a Bunbury maiden his only win in a dozen starts with previous trainers. He came good with a vengeance winning at Northam (2) and Ascot (2) this time last year and then added black-type placings in the G2 Ted van Heemst Stakes and G3 Hyperion Stakes.
“Hoba West thinks it’s a holiday training on the beach,” Dickson said after a career-high victory that sent his earnings to $360,000 for Cape Falls Thoroughbreds owner-breeder Brett Fogarty. “I love him and we came here confident he was the best horse in the race.
“Brett has been a massive supporter and its been a team effort getting him ready to win first-up over 1400m today. And credit to our farrier Steve Routledge and Austin (Galati) for a great ride. He has beautiful hands with so much race intuition.”
Galati is booked to ride WA raider Smooth Chino (Maschino) in the G2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday and he’s looking forward to the Ascot Pinnacles if Hoba West stays in shape for the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) on November 21.
Hoba West defeats Multinational in the 2026 Hannans Hcp (1400m)
Photo / Neil Watkinson
“Summer has done a remarkable job with Hoba West. I thought we could lead but they went too quick. He was a bit fierce before coming back under me. He’s tough and kept finding when the leader kicked. He has a few quirks but can hopefully go on with it at Ascot.”
Fogarty started this week with his homebred debutante Andalady (Anders) a very impressive 3yo maiden winner for trainer Tiarnna Noske at Bunbury on Monday.
He had purchased Hoba West’s dam Hoba (Northern Meteor) for $65,000 from Patinack Farm at the 2012 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale. Retired unraced, she has foaled four winners and her 2yo is a filly named Andahoba (Anders). Her yearling is a colt by In The Congo and she was covered by State Of Rest in November 2025.
