It’sourtime books Newmarket Handicap spot with Standish victory
The seven-year-old marvel It’sourtime ($4.60) has claimed the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday afternoon, securing his seventh win at start 40, and his fifth victory chasing down the Flemington straight course.
The Danny O’Brien-trained gelding was given a perfectly timed steer by Billy Egan, sitting on the heels of a returning Joyful Fortune ($5.50), who had been heavily backed with the top online bookmakers prior to the jump despite being first-up after two years off the scene.
The Lindsay Park galloper ticked along at a moderate tempo throughout the journey, with the field of eight runners bunched together in the middle stages before being asked for the ultimate effort.
Harry Coffey and Joyful Fortune were the first to be persuaded in the final 400m, with the pair giving a bold sight despite the lengthy absence.
It’sourtime switched off heels at the clock tower and produced a scintillating turn-of-speed, navigating his way to the front in the final furlong.
The pair of Aztec Ruler ($14.00) and Cheval Chic ($15.00) were both putting in the big strides late, but were no match for its’ourtime, with the son of Time For War toughing out a gallant victory.
Group 3 Standish Handicap Replay – It’sourtime
Stable representative James Hicks was on course to discuss the victory.
“He always tries hard whenever he comes to the races,” Hicks said.
“So we know when there’s a dog fight, he’ll fight it out for us and put his nose in front.
“The team down at Bowen’s done a great job with him. They just tick him over. He doesn’t have to do much work. He’s rock-hard fit. Goes out in the paddock during the day, enjoys just being a horse. So he’s a pretty easy horse to deal with and train.
“Daniel does a great job placing him. So, good team effort for everyone.”
Billy Egan spoke post-race and credited his mounts toughness through the line.
“I was half getting a little frustrated with him getting to the line because he gave me such a good ride,” Egan said.
“He went to a horse like the winner, and then just in the last couple of meters, that horse coming on my outside was starting to worry him out of it. “And I was like, ‘Oh, come on, you bastard. There’s, like, 20 meters to go. Just dig deep for me,’ because the other horse nearly had him worried out of it.
“So I asked a lot of him, and he responded enough to get over the line. It’s good that he got over the line.
“I was pretty happy with the way it raced out. I just got the suck trail behind it. It was just like a working gallop up the straight.
“You know, I just had to use it and come off its back when I thought the time was right.”
It’sourtime is now guaranteed a spot in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 8.
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