Ultra-consistent It’Sourtime will get the chance to add to his record when heads to the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.
While It’sourtime may only have registered four wins from his 20 starts, the gelding does have 11 minor placings to his credit and more than $560,000 in prize money.
Added to that record is It’sourtime has finished further back than fourth on only two occasions.
It’sourtime enters Saturday’s race at Flemington coming off a last start third at weight-for-age in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on July 22 and drops to 55.5kg on Saturday.
“He’s coming out of a really good run at weight-for-age and looks really well handicapped,” trainer Danny O’Brien told RSN.
“He’s a horse that is so consistent, but he’s run a lot more seconds than what he has won, and he hasn’t paid the penalty of having another seven or eight ratings points which he could easily have.
“He’s been a credit to the team, particularly the guys down at Barwon Heads where he spends his time.
“I think he had his first start in March and although he didn’t win the Bletchingly, it probably rated as high as any of his runs.
“He ran the best sectionals on the day, and he bounced out of it very well.
“I can’t see why he won’t produce a similar effort for us again.”
It’sourtime gave away a healthy start in the Bletchingly and O’Brien expects the sprinter to be closer in the run on Saturday.
“The only time Michael Dee got on the horse he was able to do that,” O’Brien said.
“He broke him clean from the gates and had him travelling that length or two closer which made it a lot easier for him to win.
“It’s good to have Michael back from Hong Kong and I’m looking forward to having the team between him and It’sourtime back together.”
Depending on Saturday’s performance, O’Brien is planning a trip to Sydney for It’sourtime to contest the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) at Randwick on August 19.
“We’re keen to try him right-handed at some stage, so if he won, or ran well, we’d get him on the highway up to Sydney,” O’Brien said.
