FORMER OVERPORT QUALIFIER WINS FIRST-UP IN AUSSIE
Former Overport Lodge 3YO Itz Billy Hillis (3g Bettor’s Delight-Itz Got The Giggles) was a first-up winner at Cobram, Victoria, on Sunday, December 27.
Itz Billy Hillis, sold unraced after qualifying at Rangiora in September for trainer Mark Jones, was a hot $1.40 favourite despite starting from three on the second row over the 1670m.
Itz Billy Hillis, a Rangiora qualfier in September for the Mark Jones stable and a promising first-up winner in Victoria.
However, he was too good after moving up wide over the final lap to win by 7.8 metres in a promising 1:56.7 rate.
The leaders had the speed on over their last 800m in 57.9s with Itz Billy Hillis in command over the final 400m in 29.5s.
Itz Billy Hillis, bred by Bob and Norma McMeeking, is now prepared in Victoria by Wayne Potter and was driven in Monday’s debut by Nathan Jack.
A brother to Itz Dreamin Jonesy (1:55.1, Aust), Itz Billy Hillis is from an unraced Christian Cullen mare in Itz Got The Giggles, a daughter of Itz In The Blood (Butler BG-Itz Magic, TT, 1:55.6, four wins).
Itz Queen Of Newyork, a New York Motoring mare from Itz Regal, a half-sister by Clever Innocence to Itz Magic, left former NSW Oaks, the Tasmanian Oaks and Queensland Oaks winner Itz Nosurprisesthere (1:58, six win from 15 starts for $A216,900), who was also developed by Mark Jones.
Itznotsurprisesthere is a half-sister to Itz Cherry Ripe (1:51.4, US) and half-brother to Itz The Promised One (1:59.3, seven wins & $A39,736).
Itz All About Me, a lightly-raced Courage Under Fire race-winning half-sister to Itz Cherry Ripe and Itznosurprisesthere, has also bred on leaving Auckland Cup contender Itz Bettor To Win (eight wins from 17 starts for $124,548).
Trainer Mark Jones is set to debut Itz Risky Business, a 3YO Bettor’s Delight brother to Itz Bettor To Win, over 2600m from a stand start at Omakau on Saturday.
Itz Risky Business qualified, running fifth as a 2YO in 2:00.5 (1609m) in an Ashburton trial 12 months ago. He has made solid progress without winning in two mobile start trials and two mobile start workouts this month.