Learning to be a racehorse was a gradual process for Ita until the penny dropped for the All Too Hard mare this time last year.
Things clicked into place when Ita completed a hat-trick on the Kensington course last September and her connections celebrated that anniversary back at Randwick on Saturday with a fighting win in the $150,000 The Agency Real Estate Hcp (1400m).
It was her fifth win in 16 starts since the start of last season and she’s only been further back than fourth on two occasions in that time. “It was a great ride by Josh (Parr),” trainer Bjorn Baker said after she held on to defeat stablemate War Eternal (Pierro) and odds-on favourite Arnold (Hinchinbrook). “She’s a genuine mare and can switch off which helped when she had to keep finding today. It was a brave win and was well deserved.
“I thought she was always going to need a bit of time to mature and I’m thrilled for the owners, especially Graeme Smith from Thoroughbred Leasing. He’s a champion bloke and has been a great supporter of mine since I came across to Australia.”
Smith is also in the Baker-trained mare Kiss The Bride (Savabeel) who won the Shoot Out Mile (1600m) earlier in the day at Randwick.
Baker was bubbling in the enclosure after completing the stable double. “We’re thinking of The Little Dance for Ita and I already feel like dancing! Then we will look for a suitable Stakes race.”
The Little Dance (1600m) is worth $500,000 and will be run at Randwick on Tuesday, November 1.
Ita was bred in Queensland by Raheen Stud’s Basil Nolan and is the third foal and third winner from Dayita (Show A Heart) following More Chilli (Sizzling) and Valet (Not A Single Doubt). Their dam was a versatile Peter Moody-trained Melbourne mare winning from 1300m to 2040m at Flemington (2), Moonee Valley (2) and Caulfield.
Ita was one of six winners in four days by Vinery champion All Too Hard and his up-and-coming 3yo Elkington Road made it two-from-two in the TCL TV Hcp (1420m) at Flemington on Sunday.
All Too Hard is arguably the best value for money sire in the Hunter Valley at a $38,500 (inc GST) fee. For bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
