Saturday August 21 is going to be a day Joe O’Neill of Prime Thoroughbreds always remembers and not just because quality Deep Field mare Fituese resumed from a spell to win the Group III ATC Toy Show Stakes (1100m) at Randwick.
Earlier in the day, Prime Thoroughbreds colour bearer Xtremetime fell in the Group II ATC Silver Shadow Stakes and was euthanased with her rider Brenton Avdulla taken to hospital.
A super promising filly by Extreme Choice, the pretty little chestnut had won two of her three starts before today including a Listed success and was seen as a serious contender for the Darley Princess Series by her trainer John Thompson.
Horse racing is characterized by highs and lows and all those connected to Prime Thoroughbreds sadly experienced that today.
Resuming from a spell, the John Thompson trained Fituese was able to overcome the extreme outside gate to surge home and win by a neck under Jean Van Overmeire.
“I feel for the Prime Thoroughbreds owners. It’s the highs and lows, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows,” John Thompson said.
“No-one, obviously, wants to see that happen. Thank God the riders are OK, unfortunately the filly wasn’t.
“But they were able to bounce back here with this lovely mare.”
With seven wins from 14 starts and prizemoney topping $440,000, Fituese looks set for another great campaign.
A $55,000 Magic Millions Perth purchase for Prime Thoroughbreds from the Western Breeders Alliance draft, Fituese is the second winner from Cattalo, a Tiger Hill (IRE) grand-daughter of four-time Group I winner Mannerism.
Cattalo is back in foal to Newgate Farm’s Deep Field, who covered 2000 mares last spring at a fee of $55,000 and rises to $88,000 this year.
Deep Field is setting the pace for leading Australian sire by winners this season with 23 winners in 21 days and Fituese is his first stakes-winner of 2021/2022.
