5 Win Tuesday - It's Business Time Beautiful

Progressing in the right direction numerically, It's Business Time (4 m Turn Me Loose - Risque Business, by Volksraad) scored stylishly in the $14,000 Maiden 1600 metres on 3 January at Matamata.

Fifth to subsequent Wellington Stakes' (Gr. 3, 1600m) winner Devastate (Vadamos) when debuting over 1300 metres in October at Matamata, she fought hard for an eye-catching third on rain-affected Heavy9 going in the Maiden 1400 metres on 9 December at Tauranga, and appeared suited by better footing.

After stable rider Opie Bosson pushed the button from barrier 13, she slotted into a lovely spot at the 1000m, tracked the two leaders ominously nearing the home turn, and had the race in safe keeping when quickening clear a furlong out.

Winning the Matamata Function Centre Maiden 1600 metres by two and a quarter lengths, It's Business Time ran the mile in 1:37.1, last 600m in 36.5, and paid $3.10 & $1.40 on the TAB tote.

“It was a good win and she's a nice progressive mare,” said trainer Mark Walker. “She's taken a bit of time, but is likely to keep improving over more distance in the future.”

Out of a talented Windsor Park Stud family, It's Business Time was passed in at the yearling sales and stud master Rodney Schick elected to race her with some friends.

“She's had a few issues - jumped a gate - and done all sorts of things to hurt herself as a young filly, so she's taken a bit of time,” Schick said.

“I'm very happy with the results and pleased for a bunch of school mates that race her with me.

“She's a beautiful filly and very much in the same mould as the old man (Turn Me Loose), so I've always really liked her.

“It was nice to see her on a good track, with a good rider and trainer, and everything fell into place. It's nice to be supporting Te Akau and getting the results.”

Her third dam, Satirical (Kaapstad), left Champion Filly Star Satire (Volksraad), who was miraculously saved for breeding after breaking a leg, and she in turn left brilliant Australian filly Satin Shoes (Flying Spur) and Zarzuela (Zabeel). The latter was trained by Mark Walker to win the Great Northern Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m), Waikato Guineas (Gr. 3, 2000m), and Championship Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m), before finishing third in the NZ Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m).

“It's been a good family that dad (Nelson Schick) has had for some time, going back to Beltello about 40 years ago,” Schick said. “It's continued on and we've got a few different branches of it.

“I've got a bunch of patient mates involved and it's paid off for them. A few of them were there at Matamata, and one of them has just returned from Chicago.”

It's Business Time is raced by V I Curtin, M Delahunty, C W McArthur, J Ormsby, S P Parham, J Peacocke, C R Scott, J & R Taylor, and Windsor Park Stud.

It's Business Time was strapped by Muralla Mallesh.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz