Deidre and Alexander Illes have been long time supporters of Kerry Parker and he's rapt they finally have a horse with the ability to win at the top level and he hopes that comes in the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m).
A number of horses from Hope In Your Hearts family have been winners for the Illes' – the likes of Tampering, Heartlet, Heartlings - but none have reached her heights as a multiple stakes winner.
"The owners have been terrific supporters of ours and to even have a horse running in these races you feel like you are paying them back for their loyalty,'' Parker said.
"They've had this family for a long time and a lot have been city winners but none had black type before her. For this filly to take the next step is super."
Hope In Your Heart, $8 with TAB on Thursday, emerged in the spring with a string of stakes wins before a gallant fourth in the $10 million Golden Eagle and second in the $1 million The Gong.
Parker said her first-up win in the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) two weeks ago served as confirmation that she's improved coming into this preparation and that stands her in good stead for the first Group 1 contest he feels she's really ready for.
As a three-year-old she tackled the Surround Stakes, running sixth, the Vinery Stud Stakes and the Australian Oaks but is clearly a better horse at four.
"She went terrific first-up, it was a good starting point that's for sure,'' Parker said.
"I think she showed the determination was there and the will to win. She's always been honest and genuine and she put it together there first-up.
"Once she was pushing through that gap I thought it would be game over when she got through and she finished it off really well.
"She had two trials going into that first-up run and she's come on since then."
Tim Clark continues his association with Hope In Your Heart in the Coolmore, he won the race in 2020 on Con Te Partiro and in 2021 on Krone, and Parker said with 56kg and a middle draw he feels his mare will have her chance.
"She carried 55.5kg in the Gong against the boys so carrying 56kg against the girls is fine,'' he said.
"I wanted a middle of the range draw, you don't want to be boxed in on the fence. They are never easy to win but she has taken the steps and proven herself in mares grade so that's terrific.
"With a big field it usually generates a bit of pace and if she has every chance and luck in running she's going to be in the finish."
Stablemate Don Luigi heads into the Midway Handicap (1200m) on the back of a fifth at Gosford on February 18 but has another awkward gate to contend with.
"He's a good consistent little fellow who tries hard,'' Parker said.
"He's proven he's up to this Midway grade so he's in the right race. He'd appreciate some sting out of the ground but that's not likely to happen."
