| Superstar three-year-old Hitotsu rewrote the record books when he scored a brilliant win in today’s Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington. |
| Since the Guineas was introduced in 1986 no horse had ever won the three-year-old feature first up – but that’s exactly what the rising star of Australian racing achieved. Seasoned racegoers were left lost for words when the drifting $8 chance snuck up on the inside of runners for an outstanding win. It was Hitotsu’s first start since notching an incredible come from behind win in the Group One Victoria Derby in late October. “It was an awesome ride and he’s just a really good horse,” an emotional co-trainer David Eustace said. “We were confident, but I was a little worried about whether he had the speed to accelerate at the mile, but he needed every inch of the mile.” “It wasn’t a very nice last 100 (metres). Johnny’s got so much faith in the horse and is rarely too confident, but he was really confident.” Winning rider John Allen sent out an ominous warning to potential future rivals when he declared the son of Maurice would be subject to great improvement. “He’s taken the next step every time,” a jubilant Allen said. “Even back in during this prep he’s been working so well.” “As far as I know he’s had a faultless prep. They had him spot on for today.” “He can improve from that. He’s really tough. I thought he laboured a bit in the ground – he’s definitely better on top of the ground.” “Toughness got him there. He was always going to outstay them at the finish. It was a great effort from the horse and the team.” “We haven’t seen the best of him yet,” Allen added. Originally trained by top horsewoman Wendy Kelly, Hitotsu was selected by her husband Kevin at the 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale and he went to $100,000 to secure him from the draft of Arrowfield Stud. Kelly prepared the youngster for a juvenile campaign that included a run in the Blue Diamond Stakes for stable client Kevin Payne. Offers for the youngster came and the colt was sold to a syndicate headed by Ozzie Kheir and he was transferred to the Maher and Eustace stable. On the recommendation of his initial trainer, the Paynes kept a share in Hitotsu. Hitotsu was one of two Australian stakes winners this afternoon for sire Maurice with Mazu winning the Listed Fireball Stakes at Randwick. His dam, the unraced Redoute’s Choice mare Love is Fickle, is a daughter of Group One winner She’s a Meanie and is accordingly a half sister to stakes winners Love Conquers All and She’s Meaner. She’s Meaner in turn is the dam of the Group Two winning sire Lean Mean Machine and the dam of stakes winner Ballistic Lover. There’s two colts by Maurice catalogued for the upcoming 2022 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale at Morphettville. Winner: Hitotsu Breeding: Maurice-Love is Fickle (Redoute’s Choice) Breeder: Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd, Belford Productions Pty Ltd, Mr H Chambers Race: VRC Australian Guineas G1 (1600m) Sold for: $100,000 Sale: 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale Vendor: Arrowfield Stud Buyer: Wendy Kelly Racing Earnings: $1,881,750 Owner(s): A Kheir, KJ Payne, Mrs VM Payne, JA O’neill, V Kheir, A J Willoughby, GJP Van Ameyden, L Caminiti, JM Simmons, D Edmonds, Carty Racing, DF Degenhardt & D Buzadzic Trainers: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (Ballarat) |
