Hitotsu Makes Stunning Return in Australian Guineas

Mark Smith - Saturday March 5

While connections celebrated an outstanding return to racing with the Victoria Derby winner Hitotsu in the $1,000,000 Australian Guineas at Flemington, it was back to the drawing board for Spring Champion Stakes hero Profondo who never looked happy in his Victorian debut.

Stakes double for Maurice, read about Mazu here.

Hitotsu fights off Lightsaber (image Grant Courtney)

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Hitotsu won first-up over a mile following his dominant VRC Derby victory in the spring.

Ridden by John Allen, the son of Maurice (JPN) defeated the enigmatic Zoustar colt Lightsaber by a long-neck with the Bon Hoffa filly Bon’s A Pearla three-quarter of a length back in third.

It was an emotional moment for Eustice whose parents made the trip from England.

“It’s great to have mum and dad here. Gutted that the boss (Maher) isn’t here, he’s up in Sydney, and we don’t get to share many big wins.” Eustice said

“I’m really proud of the whole team. It was an awesome ride and he’s just a really good horse.

“We were confident but I was a little worried about whether we had the speed to accelerate at the mile, but he needed every inch of the mile. It wasn’t a very nice last 100m. Johnny’s got so much faith in the horse and is rarely too confident, but he was really confident.

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“Ozzie (Kheir) is at home on the sofa. I said to him on the way down that I’d probably rather be at home on the sofa watching it, too.

They came from far and wide to get in the photo (image Grant Courtney)

“He’s in the All-Star Mile and that would have to be a possibility. We know he gets further. We’ll worry about it tomorrow.”

Hitotsu was a $100,000 purchase by Wendy Kelly Racing out of the Arrowfield draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

He is the third foal and second winner from as many to race out of the unraced Redoute's Choice mare Love Is Fickle, a daughter She's A Meanie (Prince Salieri).

Hitotsu a $100,000 Magic Millions yearling

She's A Meanie won eight races, highlighted by the Group 1 Avondale Gold Cup.

Mystery Downs / Valiant Stud shelled out $150,000 for a Shalaa (IRE) filly out of Love is Fickle at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. She has been named Twelfth Night and is in training with Matthew Smith.

Love is Fickle has a yearling filly by Shalaa (IRE) and a weanling filly by Castelvecchio. She revisited Maurice (JPN) last spring.

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Race Result - Australian Guineas Gr1 1600m

Flemington Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:36.83
1
Hitotsu
- 3c Maurice (JPN) x Love Is Fickle (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: John Allen 57
2
0.4
Lightsaber
- 3c Zoustar (AUS) x Dream Cirque (AUS) (Dream Ahead (USA))
Tnr: P G Moody Rdr: L Nolen 57
Zoustar
3
1.2
Bon's A Pearla
- 3f Bon Hoffa (AUS) x Treasure Island (AUS) (Duporth (AUS))
Tnr: K L Corstens Rdr: B Prebble 55
4
2.9
Forgot You
- 3c Savabeel (AUS) x Simply You (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: M Zahra 57
5
4.1
Pinstriped
- 3g Street Boss (USA) x Snitzel Blitz (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: E Jusufovic Rdr: M J Dee 57
6
4.3
Captivant
- 3c Capitalist (AUS) x Speedboat (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Jamie Kah 57
7
4.5
Pascero
- 3c Pierro (AUS) x Pass The Parcel (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: Damian Lane 57
8
4.6
Maurice's Medad
- 3g Maurice (JPN) x Presslist (AUS) (Librettist (USA))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: J Parr 57
9
5.6
Sharp Response
- 3g Maurice (JPN) x Marli Magic (AUS) (Host (CHI))
Tnr: Julius Sandhu Rdr: Beau Mertens 57
10
5.8
Ranch Hand
- 3c Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Mezulla (NZ) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Craig Williams 57
11
6.0
Alegron
- 3g Teofilo (IRE) x Alegria (AUS) (Medaglia D'Oro (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: D Oliver 57
12
6.2
Prix De Turn
- 3c Turn Me Loose (NZ) x Prix Du Sang (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: Matthew Brown Rdr: Ben Allen 57
13
8.5
Profondo
- 3c Deep Impact (JPN) x Honesty Prevails (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Richard Litt Rdr: R Dolan 57
14
9.2
Rhinoceros
- 3c Vadamos (FR) x Hot In Pink (NZ) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: E & D Browne Rdr: J Mott 57
15
14.2
Zerelle
- 3g Snitzel (AUS) x Margaery Tyrell (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: C Newitt 57
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