After three long years, It’sourtime is set to get another crack at going one better in the Standish Handicap this Saturday at Flemington.
The Danny O’Brien-trained gelding will aim for his fifth straight-track victory in the $200,000 Group 3 contest.
The seven-year-old has become a familiar name in Flemington’s straight-track races, having previously secured wins in the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap, the Santa Ana Stakes Final, and the Listed The Straight Six. However, his lone Standish Handicap outing resulted in a second-place finish behind Halvorsen in 2022.
It’sourtime signaled his readiness for another strong showing when he stormed home to grab third in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield Heath on Boxing Day. This performance has bolstered confidence within the stable that he can return to winning form at his favored Flemington track.
“That tight turning track was probably not going to be suitable to him, but it was the right race to go to, and the way he straightened up after rounding the bend and hit the line, we wished the race was 1150m,” said O’Brien’s racing manager Jack Howard.
“His record down the straight is super. He’s that Listed to lower-level Group 2 horse – that’s his hitting zone – and he’s got such a great record in them.
“Hopefully, with a bit of luck in the Standish, he can get another win down the straight.”
It’sourtime launched his career with back-to-back wins at Sale and Sandown in January 2021, but all four of his subsequent victories have come on Flemington’s iconic straight track.
He has contested 20 of his 39 career starts at Headquarters, with his most recent Flemington run resulting in a sixth-place finish in the Group 2 Rising Fast Stakes (1200m) on Derby Day.
Howard highlighted the stable’s optimism heading into the Standish Handicap, stating, “He had a really nice piece of work at the farm on Saturday morning, and the data that we’re getting off his gallops says that he’s holding his rating, if not improving it, so we’re looking forward to the Standish.”
It’sourtime was among 12 initial nominations for the Standish Handicap. His potential competition includes Sydney’s in-form speedster Iowna Merc, Perth Stakes winner Aztec Ruler, straight-track specialist Joyful Fortune, Godolphin’s Pereille, and the promising three-year-old Wonder Boy.
