Crown Of Coureuse opened Australia’s juvenile season with an upset $21 victory in Toowooomba on Saturday evening.  The Patinack Farm filly powered home from off the pace to win the Fitton Insurance Hopeful Plate (1000m).

Crown Of Coureuse (2f Beautiful Crown – Coureuse by Tierce) won by three lengths from short-priced favourite Canningly (Canny Lad) and Prefect (Bradbury’s Luck).

Her sire Beautiful Crown originally stood at Baerami Thoroughbreds but is now based at Patinack Farm for a $16,500 service fee.

Her dam Coureuse has now foaled 8 winners including the stakes performers Pirouettes (Danehill Dancer), Tom Coureuse (Beautiful Crown), Yellow Diamond (Commands) and Sichuan Success (Fastnet Rock).

Patinack bought the winner for $64,000 as a foal at the 2010 Inglis Select weanling sale from Torryburn Stud.

The Fitton Insurance Hopeful Plate plays a pivot role as a fundraising event for the Cancer Council and Queensland Institute of Medical Research.  Del Fitton received the Order of Australia Medal at the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for her services to the community and thoroughbred industry.