ALLEN GETS MINUS DRAMATIC PROTEST

JOCKEY John Allen didn’t need the stewards to confirm his second Group 1 in the space of a week in Saturday’s Victoria Derby.

Allen endured a tense wait before stewards allowed him to keep last Saturday’s Cox Plate on State Of Rest but Hitotsu had 1¾ lengths to spare at the end of the 2500m Derby.

Allen’s success was his second in four years after riding Extra Brut to victory in the 2018 Derby.

Stewards inquired into interference involving Hitotsu at the 400m but the son of Japanese superstar Maurice ended the $2m race as a contest when he hit top gear at the 300m mark.

“I just had to ride for good luck around the corner,” Allen said.

“He was travelling that well, I just needed a gap, but once he got out the rest is history.”

Hitotsu won a maiden at Donald three starts back before a luckless effort in the Caulfield Guineas last time out. But trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace were happy to throw out the Victoria Derby textbook, bypassing the traditional run at 2000m before the classic.

However, many punters thought the different preparation would suit Hitotsu, backing the lightly-framed colt to start as a $4 favourite.

“He’s a lovely stayer and he’s very natural,” Maher said. “I was very confident he would run the 2500(m) and I suppose a lot of people were because he was backed very well.

“We didn’t want to overrace him because he is immature. He’s an exciting horse and he’s going to be even bigger and stronger next time in.”

Hitotsu’s Derby win was an example of how quickly fortunes can change in racing.

Maher and Eustace mourned the loss of last year’s Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet after the stallion broke down in a track gallop at The Valley last Saturday.

But Hitotsu carried the same blue and gold silks of owner Ozzie Kheir to victory in the Derby.

Kheir and partners, which include prominent owner John O’Neill, also part-owned the 2005 and 2019 Victoria Derby winners Benicio and Warning respectively.

The group bought into Hitotsu after the colt’s two-year-old campaign with Cranbourne trainer Wendy Kelly. The three-year-old banked a $1.2m winner’s cheque at only his third start for the stable.

Maher said Hitotsu would head to the spelling paddock to mature before a Sydney autumn campaign.

Godolphin gelding Alegron ($6) added another Group 1 placing to his record with his game second, two lengths ahead of Ballarat three-yearold Teewaters ($31).

The $4.60 second favourite Gunstock struck early trouble before struggling into 12th, 11½ lengths from Hitotsu.

Allen, Maher and Eustace will chase their first Melbourne Cup when they combine with Explosive Jack in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.