Its Maa Time and Captain Stirling’s big 3YO APG success

Talented filly Its Maa Time (Captain Crunch) showed real class when she stormed home to take out the $100,000  Australian Pacing Gold 3YO Sales Classic Final for fillies at Gloucester Park last night.

Despite winning three of her four previous races, including a stylish last start win at Gloucester Park the week prior, Its Maa Time was not fancied from her second row draw.

ITS MAA TIME FEB 28 REPLAY APG GOLD 3YO FILLIES FINAL

Hot favourite Reinette was expected to lead from barrier 2 and she sprinted quickly out of the gate to easily stay in front.

Delulu was caught three wide early and driver Deni Roberts had little option but to go and sit outside the leader. In the meantime Aiden De Campo pushed through Its Maa time to be one out in the middle of the field. He was able to flush out Gary Hall Junior on Jax Ideal with a lap left to travel.

Reinette supporters were beginning to worry when she could not shake off Delulu on leaving the back straight. Its Maa Time at one stage was out four wide but continued to accelerate on the final bend and she powered home over the top of Delulu who was gallant in defeat with Reinette weakening in third place.

Its Maa Time’s mile rate of 1.57.5 was impressive for the 2130 metres. She was a $60,000 purchase by De Campo at the 2023 Perth APG sales and has now more than repaid her buying price.

Its Maa Time is a strong filly and with five wins from just seven appearances she looks ideally placed in the forthcoming fillies classics.

In the APG 3YO Final for the colts and geldings Captain Stirling (Captain Crunch) was too strong for his rivals despite having had a harder run than expected. It was assumed that he would lead from the pole draw but American Major showing blistering early speed was able to go to the front.

However Dylan Egerton Green was not going to allow himself to get pocketed so with just under two laps left to travel moved up to race outside the leader.

CAPTAIN STIRLING FEB 28 REPLAY APG GOLD 3YO COLTS AND GELDINGS FINAL 

Second favourite Belly Up was racing well back in the field but driver Deni Roberts was able to take a trail behind Charivari who was out three wide at the bell. Captain Stirling looked vulnerable on the final bend when Belly Up unleashed his sprint. But Captain Stirling showed plenty of fight and he was able to record a strong win over Belly Up by 5 metres with Charivari another 20 metres away third.

Purchased for $32,000 at the 2023 APG Perth yearling sale Captain Stirling and is raced by Oz-West Pacing along with Damien Keating and Peter Morris.

Belly Up lost no admirers in finishing and he and Captain Stirling should have some interesting forthcoming battles in the three year old classics during the year.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink