The growing influence of international bloodlines in Australia is once again clearly noticed when Hitotsu—A pony of the Arrowfield Stud shuttler Maurice – landing of Guineas Australia (G1) on 5 March at Flemington, while Convergingson of the undefeated champion Frankel produced an impressive performance in Mostyn Copper Randwick Guineas (G1).
With both wins being a small piece of history, as Hitotsu trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace became the first horse to land the Flemington 1’s first from a spell, while Converge provided Gai Waterhouse — who currently coaches with Adrian Bott — celebrates the perfect 30 years in the training ranks.
The fact that Hitotsu became the winner of group 1 was less honest than usual. The foal only surpassed its first period in Donald by more than 1,350 meters last September, then it finished fifth in Neds Caulfield Guineas (G1) and then went on to compete in the first elite level competition. his first in the Penfolds Victoria (G1) race on October 30. .
With Maher overseeing the stable of runners in Sydney, the celebrations and post-race reactions were left to emotional Eustace, who entered the race yesterday by his parents, James and Gay, after finally being reunited with them earlier in the week without having seen them since the start of the pandemic.
“It’s great to have Mom and Dad here but I’m sorry the boss isn’t here,” Eustace said.
“He’s in Sydney and we can’t share many of the big wins.”
Discarded by John Allen, Hitotsu scored with a long neck from Lightsaber with Bon’s A Pearler Another 3/4 length in third place.
While he believes the pony is back to his best form since the Derby win, Eustace remains worried about whether the 3-year-old can get the pace he needs to win the group. 1 per 1,600 meters or not.
The history maker as the 2021 Victoria Derby winner continues with a $1 million Australian Guineas Group 1 win at @FlemingtonVRC. The winner of the Donald Maiden Award in September, Hitotsu was purchased by @ wendykellyraci1 for $100,000 at Gold Coast in 2020 @mmsnippets & has now won nearly $1.9 million. pic.twitter.com/cuHDP21iGl
– Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) March 5, 2022
“It was a great ride and he was just a really good horse,” Eustace said. “We were very confident, but I was a bit worried about whether he would have enough speed to accelerate at the mile, but he needed every inch of the mile.”
The race has been touted as a clash between Hitotsu and winner Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes trained by Richard Litt (G1) Profondo, who was diverted to Australian Guineas from Randwick equivalent due to wet weather in Sydney. But the son of Deep Impact (JPN) never seemed comfortable and ended up finishing 13th out of 15 runners.
Hitotsu was bought by former coach Wendy Kelly the Arrowfield Stud draft for A$100,000 (US$68,663) at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and he has run three times as a minor. for Kelly, including a tenth finish in the Neds Blue Diamond Stakes (G1), before being acquired by celebrity owner Ozzie Kheir and other clients and sent to Maher and Eustace for their 3-year career me.
The colt escaped from the unarmed mare Love is changeI’m the daughter of group 1 winner and top producer She’s A Meanie.
Meanwhile, the international theme continued to be hot in Sydney as Converge touted the global dominance of Juddmonte Farm champion Frankel by adding a Randwick Guineas win to his résumé. to join his junior group 1 win in the Brisbane Treasury JJ Atkins Stakes (G1).
Anamoewho came a long way back and narrowly failed in his attempt to topple the impressive winner. Hilal farther than 2 1/4 of the length in the third.
Waterhouse’s first win as a coach was when Gifted Power won at Hawkesbury and the dynamics coach said she still remembers that day vividly.
“It is remarkable that this has happened thirty years since the Gifted Poet won at Hawkesbury,” Waterhouse said. “I remember that race like it was yesterday.
“Today is the day to win Randwick Guineas — it’s great to be able to win group 1 on this day.”
Bott says they are confident Converge can win, as long as he handles the heavyweight conditions.
The @ GaiWaterhouse1-Bott stable has now won 14 table 1 together.
They would aim Converge towards Rosehill Guineas then Doncaster. pic.twitter.com/UN3et2PPAl
– SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 5, 2022
“The way the race went was perfect for us,” Bott said.
“Tim (Clark) put him in a positive position early on and the race was around him. He was in a lovely position and could work well.
“As Tim is looking around like that before he gets frustrated, I know there’s more to it and I’m glad he was able to recommend that to us.”
Waterhouse and Bott will let the dust settle before deciding on Converge’s next mission, but co-trainers say the gelding class is likely heading towards the Doncaster Mile (G1), past Rosehill Guineas (G1) or George Ryder Stakes (G1) .
Bred by Evergreen Stud Farm during the time in the Southern Hemisphere, Converge was the first of a set of mares Opposite.
In 2019 Contrast, produces a three-quarter brother with Converge, a pony by Coolmore Stud shuttler Churchill who was purchased by Raphe Bloodstock for AU$28,000 ($19,449) at the Inglis Weanling Sale in 2020. The foal is currently named Conservative and unmarked.
Meanwhile, Converge’s Invader the half-brother will be supplied by Evergreen Stud Farm as Lot 116 at the Inglis Australia Easter Birth Year Promotion, which takes place in Sydney on 5 April and last season the opposite is produced. by Aquis Farm’s Holy Prophet.
