Written by Jackson Frantz
The highs and lows of racing were on display for all to see at Royal Randwick on Saturday with Prime Thoroughbreds' gallopers Xtremetime (Extreme Choice) and Fituese (Deep Field) faced with contrasting fates.
The latter’s scintillating success in the G3 Bowermans Commercial Furniture Toy Show Quality was welcome solace for Prime Thoroughbreds founder and Managing Director Joe O’Neill who only three races prior lost the former in a tragic fall inside the final furlong.
“She (Xtremetime) was a very valuable filly being a half-sister to a G1 Saratoga Travers S. runner-up (Caracaro (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA})) and it’s also really hard to find horses as good as her,” O’Neill told TDN AusNZ.
“Rachel King who was booked to ride Fituese was also involved in a terrible fall on Brandenburg who broke down in the race before us, which left us without a rider. So, it’s been a real roller-coaster day.”
Tommy Berry (blue silks) checks in with Rachel King as she walks away from her fall at Randwick
Last-minute call-up Jean Van Overmeire rode Fituese superbly, according to O’Neill.
“The plan was always to settle back and give her one last crack at them as she’s such an incredibly good horse, she’s an absolute star who returned to her best, as it wasn’t an easy task what she did today,” O’Neill said.
“So, I was happy during the run because they were going so quick, he (Jean) rode her exactly how Rachel (King) would’ve and in doing so she got the clear air at the top of the straight that we wanted.”
"He (Jean Van Overmeire) rode her (Fituese) exactly how Rachel (King) would’ve and in doing so she got the clear air at the top of the straight that we wanted." - Joe O’Neill
O’Neill has high hopes for the lightly raced Fituese this campaign, saying that she is capable of scaling further heights.
“We will just sit down and get today out of the road first as it’s been a tough day, but she could probably go to the (G2) The Shorts at Randwick next month,” O’Neill said.
“We will be looking around at all options as she can’t do any more than what she did today, that field she beat featured just about as good as any mare you’ll find.”
Joe O’Neill | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
A $55,000 2018 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale purchase by Prime Thoroughbreds via the draft of Western Breeders Alliance, Fituese is out of the dual winner Cattalo (Tiger Hill {Ire}), who herself is a half-sister to Listed Neville Sellwood S. runner-up Tobique (Redoute’s Choice).
Her second dam line is headed by four-time Group 1-winning superstar Mannerism (Amyntor {Fr}), who herself was responsible for dual Group 2 winner Dandify (Danehill {USA}) and dual Group 3 winner Manner Hill (Danehill {USA}).
O’Neill is looking forward to the resumption of dual Group 2-winning mare Rubisaki (Rubick), saying that she has returned to the stables of trainer Patrick Payne in superb order.
Fituese as a yearling
He said the classy mare will predominately partake in races against her own sex this campaign.
“She arrived back earlier in the week and she’s in really good shape, she’s put on about 50kgs and looks to be travelling really well,” O’Neill said.
“Both her and Fituese were outstanding 3-year-olds who both struggled a bit as 4-year-olds. So, I’m tipping that they’ll both be very strong this time in.”
An $85,000 2018 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase by Prime Thoroughbreds, Rubisaki is out of Danehill Dancer (Ire) mare Senro Kisaki, who herself hails from the extended family of European Group 3 winner Fatah Flare (USA) (Alydar {USA}).
