Hitotsu was unplaced in a Cranbourne trial on Monday morning, but Ciaron Maher said the Victoria Derby winner remains on track for his autumn campaign.
The Maurice colt finished fifth, beaten about two lengths, in the 990-metre trial won by Forgot You in 59.23 seconds.
“I’m very happy with that,” Maher said. “He’s furnished a bit from last time around, his action is moving beautifully and I couldn’t be happier with him.
“He’ll have another trial in two weeks’ time then kick off in the Guineas.”
Hitotsu has not raced since his explosive win in the Victoria Derby (2500m) at just his third run for the campaign and only the sixth start of his career.
His autumn campaign is again expected to be light with the $1 million Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) on March 5 to be his first outing with Maher noting that he is still maturing.
“He’s still furnishing, he’ll furnish again into his four-year-old season, but he’s made nice progression from the spring,” Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, said.
“He’s obviously going to have a light campaign anyway, he’s not having two or three runs before the Guineas, and he’s going into that first up.”
Hitotsu heads betting in TAB’s Australian Guineas market at $3.50 and is joint $8 favourite with Profondo for the $2 million Group 1 Australian Derby at Randwick on April 2.
