Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Promising youngster Its Maa Time warmed up for next Friday night’s $100,000 APG Sales Classic for three-year-old fillies in fine style with a convincing victory in the $21,000 Hoist Torque Australia Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Trained and driven by Aiden De Campo, Its Maa Time, the $1.40 favourite, burst straight to the front from barrier three and after dawdling through the lead time in 39.7sec. and opening quarter in a slow 32.4sec. she sped over the final quarters in 28.4sec. and 28.5sec. and withstood a spirited challenge from Delulu ($4) before winning from that filly by a length, rating a modest 2.0.4.
“She wanted to run the arm tonight and then managed to relax,” said De Campo. “She has a heap of ability but is still a bit big (in condition).”
Its Maa Time is by American sire Captain Crunch and is the fourth foal out of Blissfull Hall mare Maastricht, who won a Group 3 Vicbred event at Melton in March 2014 and was retired with a record of 57 starts for 15 wins, 13 placings and $89,989.
Its Maa Time was bought for $60,000 by De Campo at the 2023 Perth APG yearling sale, and the filly is raced by several of de Campo’s stable clients. She has raced six times for four wins, one third and $28,582 in stakes.
Maastricht is a half-sister to Bullion Bill, who raced 124 times for 30 wins, 30 placings and $321,165. Bullion Bill was trained and driven by Bob Mellsop in all of his nine wins and five placings from 23 starts in WA in 2006 and 2007. Bullion Bill won eight races in Victoria and won another 13 times after arriving in America in 2007.