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.
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.
“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.
“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).
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.
