Kibou is a quirky fellow, but few doubt the Maurice (JPN) colt's ability.
Ridden by Regan Bayliss for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Kibou led at every call in Saturday's Bowermans Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill.
His task was made easier when the highly regarded Churchill (IRE) colt Conqueror was scratched after rearing in the barriers.
Gelded after earning the steward's ire when near uncontrollable in the Group III ATC Breeders Plate, Kibou broke his maiden at Warwick Farm on June 1, then closed out his 2yo season with a win at Rosehill a fortnight later.
At his 3yo debut, Kibou did not have the rub of the green when a close-up fourth behind Zoukerino in the Listed The Rosebud at Rosehill.
Still inclined to want to get the race over and done with, Kibou came clear to defeat Golden mile (Astern) by two and a quarter lengths, with Basquiat (Snitzel) a further three and a half lengths back in third.
"That was what we were hoping to see from him," Adrian Bott said.
"The most likely path to the Golden Rose is through the Ming Dynasty Quality. We still want to take him to the Spring Champion Stakes. So his two main targets are the Golden Rose and Spring Champion Stakes.
"Kibou did have a bit of a wander in the straight, but as soon as Regan corrected him, he was straight and true to the line. He got his mind back on the job and was focused to the finish.
"It is not easy having to stay wide off the fence and race out there by himself, but he is showing good improvement each time he races. If he can continue to do that each time, then he is going to be hard to beat in his races through the spring."
Consigned by Arrowfield to the 2021 Classic Yearling Sale, Kibou was a $170,000 purchase for Gai Waterhouse / Adrian Bott / Kestrel Thoroughbreds.
He is the second winner from three to race out of the talented Any Given Saturday (USA) mare Fortiche.
In a career restricted to four starts, Fortiche won on debut at Seymour for Greg Eurell, then separated Tawteen and Pittsburgh Flyer at Moonee Valley. Her career ended with a pair of fourths at Caulfield and Moonee Valley.
Fortiche was bred and owned by Maurice Messara's Boomerang Breeding.
The father of John Messara, Maurice Messara, enjoyed great success with Fortiche's half-brother Mic Mac (Statue Of Liberty).
Fortiche has a 2yo colt by Mikki Isle (JPN) and a weanling filly by Showtime. She was covered by Maurice last spring.
Kibou is the ninth stakes winner for Arrowfield Stud's Maurice (JPN).
