Maurice Colt Foujita San Impresses at Sandown

Mark Smith - Wednesday April 6

Narrowly beaten by Zamborghini when on debut at Moonee Valley, the two-year-old Maurice (JPN) colt Foujita San made no mistake at his second start over 1400m at Sandown-Lakeside on Wednesday.

Better races in store for Foujita San (image Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

Ridden by Jye McNeil for Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes,  Foujita San was caught wide in the early stages before McNeil let him stride to the front.   

Still under a tight hold when straightening,  Foujita San put a space on the chasing pack when given his head.

Advertisement

The further they went, the further the son of Maurice increased his margin. He put five and three-quarter lengths on the Almanzor colt King's Crossing with Dawn Approach (IRE) colt Dream Hour a further half-length back in third.

"We saw the best of him on a big track. He was going to win at Moonee Valley and just didn't handle the turn," McNeil said.

"He has definitely come on with race experience and gave me a really nice feel."

Foujita San was a $360,000 purchase by International Thoroughbred Solutions from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter.

The son of Maurice (JPN) comes from a family that has served Team Hawkes well in the past.

Foujita San a $360,000 Inglis Easter Yearling

He is a half-brother to the Group II Ajax Stakes winner Messene and the Listed winner Cordero (Gio Ponti), Foujita San is the fifth winner from six to race from the Redoute's Choice mare Belle Giselle.

A three-quarter sister to stakes-placed Break The Vault, Belle Giselle is a daughter of the Kenmare (FR) mare Mam'Selle Giselle a sister to Baryshnikov and Zabeel, and to the dam of Crowned Glory.

Belle Giselle was retired after foaling Foujita San.

Advertisment

Race Result - The Big Screen Company Hcp 1400m

Sandown-Lakeside Track: Good(4) Time: 1:24.66
1
Foujita San
- 2c Maurice (JPN) x Belle Giselle (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Jye McNeil 58.5
2
5.8
King's Crossing
- 2c Almanzor (FR) x Spiriting (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Damian Lane 58
3
6.3
Dream Hour
- 2c Dawn Approach (IRE) x Ambivalent (AUS) (Aussie Rules (USA))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: Lachlan King 58
4
6.7
Mt Niseko
- 2c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Rioghan (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: L Nolen 57.5
5
14.7
Peshwa
- 2c Tapit (USA) x Greta G (ARG) (Exchange Rate (USA))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: Craig Williams 58
More Reading...
MRC Committee Returned Unopposed
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has confirmed the results of the 2025 nominations for the MRC Executive Committee and the Mornington Advisory Group (MAG), which will be formally ratified at the Club’s Annual General Meeting on 25 September.
G1 Manikato Next for Alabama Lass
New Zealand sprinter Alabama Lass will press on for a tilt at the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley later this month following her runner-up effort in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at the Melbourne track last Saturday.
Vale, Ryan Smith
Victorian breeding farm Kulani Park are mourning the loss of partner and family member Ryan Smith.
Kiwi Cup Hopeful Headed to Melbourne
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Wolfgang will fly to Melbourne on Wednesday to commence his path towards the A$10 million feature.
Waller Army Leads Cox Plate First Acceptances
Defending champion Via Sistina is among 21 horses champion trainer Chris Waller still has in contention for the $6 million 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, following the closure of first acceptances on Tuesday.
Cogburn Sire Not This Time on Fire at Keeneland September
If you have been considering sending a mare to Widden Stud’s exciting new shuttle sire Cogburn (USA) or have already booked one in you are going to be pretty interested in what is going on at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale this week where his sire Not This Time is in hot demand.
Mulberry Racing Purchase $550,000 Colt at Keeneland September
Australian based Mulberry Racing featured on the buyers list during the first session of the Keenland September Yearling Sale purchasing a colt by Quality Road for $550,000.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 9
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$3.3million Gun Runner Colt Tops Keeneland September Day 1
Keeneland’s 2025 September Yearling Sale began Monday with double-digit gains while posting a record average price of $653,208 and selling 15 horses for $1 million or more led by a colt by Gun Runner for $3.3 million to M.V. Magnier and Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm. The average topped the previous record $611,038 for a single session set during Day 2 in 2024, and the number of seven-
Tragic News from Milburn Creek – Vale, Secret Admirer
Spring brings so many foaling stories from our studs each year and while the majority have a happy ending, sometimes things sadly don’t go as planned.