The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stable is taking a leap of faith with Hitotsu who is having his second start for the stable in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.
Having started his career with Wendy Kelly where his best placed finish was a sixth to Lightsaber in the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce (1400m) at Flemington in three starts, Hitotsu made his way to Maher and Eustace this campaign.
At his only run for the stable, Hitotsu won a Donold maiden over 1350m on September 12, but Saturday’s Guineas over 1600m has always been in the back of the stable’s mind.
Hitotsu was the emergency when the field was announced on Tuesday but has made his way into the line-up courtesy of the scratchings of Coastwatch and Dark Rebel.
“We were keen to roll the dice knowing we were hovering around the emergencies,” Eustace told RSN.
“We’re delighted he could get a run, especially when we saw the barrier draw.”
Hitotsu will jump from barrier three and be ridden by Ben Allen on Saturday as they chase a Guineas win at start number five.
In the past 22 years, only two horses – God’s Own (2005) and Weekend Hussler (2007) – have won the Guineas at their fifth start.
Eustace has a good opinion of Hitotsu and sees Saturday’s race setting the colt up nicely for Group 2 The Vase (2040m) at The Valley on October 23 and the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington the following week.
“I think over a little bit further he could be top class,” Eustace said.
“Whether he is a Group 1 mile winner, I would suggest he is up against it, but it is also a nice steppingstone for race a little bit deeper into the spring, like the Vase and potentially the Derby.
“He is ready for a mile and has really thrived for his run at Donald and is a different horse for that race.
“He needs to seriously step up, we know that, but we don’t think he’s the rank outsider.”
Punters don’t think he’s the rank outsider either, with Hitotsu firming from $34 to $23 with TAB since the final field was announced.
Anamoe holds his place at the top of the market at $2.70 while Artorius, who was initially well-supported, drifting back out to $4.
Since Tuesday’s barrier draw, Tiger Of Malay has been the best supported, firming from $21 into $9.50.