It’sourtime has provided trainer Danny O’Brien with the perfect birthday gift taking out the Listed Straight Six at Flemington.
The victory in the 1200m race on Saturday made up for the disappointment of connections after the sprinter was a late scratching from the Listed Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool on the middle day of the May Carnival.
Ridden by Michael Dee, It’Sourtime ($4.80) scored a half-length win from the $2.35 betr favourite D’jumbuck with Prowling ($31) a head away third.
O’Brien, who turned 54 on Saturday, said Saturday’s race came up at an opportune time, although he said the sprinter could have run at Warrnambool and backed up on Saturday.
“There was always this race as a back-up, so unfortunately, we had no luck in the Wangoom, but having this race 10 days later was no disadvantage,” O’Brien said.
“He loves the straight and he was probably overdue.
“He’s had a heap of seconds over the last 18 months in similar style races, but he got a lovely steer from Michael and deserved the win.”
Saturday’s victory was It’sourtime’s first since winning during the Melbourne Cup Carnival in 2021 and in 10 runs since, the gelding had registered six runner-up finishes.
O’Brien said he would sit down with connections and work out a plan for It’sourtime.
He said the final of the Listed Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series over 1200m at Flemington in July may come under consideration as could a trip north to Brisbane for the remainder of the Winter Carnival.
Dee said Saturday’s race was the perfect option for It’sourtime and was a better race for the sprinter than the Wangoom Handicap.
He said it was important to keep the gelding relaxed pre-race.
“He was good in the barriers. He jumped clean and we were able to get into a nice spot,” Dee said.
“He was a little closer than he has been in the past and maintained a good gallop to the line.
“I wasn’t sure that we were going to get past D’jumbuck, but we got to him quite easy and once he got his head in front, he was strong to the line.”