FIRST WIN FOR BREEDER-OWNERS; SAM NEARS 200
Justine McMeeking, daughter of successful Kirwee owners Bob and Norma McMeeking, and Justine’s partner Kurt McNamara, were on track to see a horse they bred and own record their first win at Forbury on Thursday, July 7, 2016.
A five-year process was fulfilled when Itz Risky Business, a younger brother to $100k-plus winner Itz Bettor To Win (1:54.3), won at his fourth start from the Overport Lodge stable of Mark Jones.
Itz Risky Business, credited owners, Justine McMeeking and Kurt McNamara, with their first win at Forbury on Thursday, July 7.
Their interest in breeding Itz Risky Business came over drinks after moving in with the senior McMeekings at Kirwee five years ago, after their Redcliffs home was damaged in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
They have subsequently also bred a Bettor’s Delight younger sister, and Art Major half-sister, to Itz Bettor To Win and Itz Risky Business.
Overport Lodge reinswoman Sam Ottley moved to 198 career wins after stepping the 3YO well from a wide front row alley to take conrol after the opening 600m.
After setting a comfortable clip, Sam stoked Itz Risky Business up beginning the last 600m and went for home from the 400m.
They held by a length from trailer Silver Dale in the Washington VC Pace, clocking 2:52 for the 2200m (stand).
Itz Risky Business, who qualified in 2:00.5 (1609m) at two, is the third foal and second to race from a race-winning Courage Under Fire mare in Itz All About Me, a half-sister to four in 2:00 including Itz Cherry Ripe (1:51.4, US) and former Overport Lodge filly Itz Nosurprisesthere (1:58), who numbered the 2013 NSW, Tasmanian and Queensland Oaks, among her six wins.
Itz All About Me was retired after winning at her ninth start for trainer Malcolm Shinn at Methven in 2009. She also placed twice.
Itz Risky Business furthers a strong-winning family developed over the last 30 years by Bob and Morma McMeeking.
Itz Billy Hillis, shown in September for the Mark Jones stable. He was sold unraced to Victorian interests and has won six of eight starts.
The “Itz” family are the result from the McMeekings’ breeding from two-win mare Adenwin, a half-sister by Out To Win to a useful south performer of the 1970s in New Averil (six NZ wins).
Adenwin’s second foal Itz Magic (by Nat Lobell) won four and time-trialled in 1:55.6, while her half-sister Itz Regal (by Clever Innocence), is the unraced third dam of Itz Bettor To Win and Itz Risky Business.
Itz Magic is the grand-dam of Itz Dreamin Jonesy (1:55.1, Aust, 13 wins & $A73,229) and Itz Billy Hillis (p3, 1:55.3 mile rate, 2240m), a former promising qualifier out of the Mark Jones stable.
Itz Billy Hillis has won six of eight Victorian starts this season for $A30,178.
Justine and Kurt have increased their harness racing interests with more “Itz” horses on the way.
They have subsequently leased from Itz Got The Giggles, the dam of Itz Billy Hillis and Itz Dreamin Jonesy. They bred an Art Major colt from Itz Got The Giggles last year.
By Jeff Scott