Successful in the Listed BRC Phelan Ready Stakes (1100m) last start, Tony Gollan sent Itchintogo (Sun City) to Saturday’s $150,000 Aquis Gold Nugget QTIS 2YO (1100m) at the Gold Coast where he utterly dominated his rivals as favourite, highlighting his chances in next Saturday’s $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m).
As the only runner in the small field of six to have faced the starter on race day, Itchintogo flew the gates under jockey Ryan Maloney, and that is where the gelding stayed.
Coming across to race on the rails, Itchintogo travelled as he liked, and although Stuart Kendrick’s Wootton Baseet colt Wootton You Know sat on his outside and looked like he may challenge, once the home turn was reached, the leader kicked away.
Ears pricked, Itchintogo simply toyed with his rivals in the run to the line, and with about 50m to go Maloney allowed his mount to coast the line under his own steam, winning by the best part of four and a half lengths from Toby Edmonds’ Castelvecchio gelding Baciami with Written Aclaim, just the second Australian 2yo runner for former Aquis shuttle stallion Aclaim, finishing in third.
Set to back up in next Saturday’s $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m), if the gelding draws an inside barrier and can find the fence, he has experience at the track and with a win just seven day prior to his grand final, he could run a cheeky race.
It's always a little bit nerve-racking, these young ones, when they're this short and whatnot,” said Gollan.
“He did a bit wrong in his last win, and he did a bit wrong in the jump out in between, but really happy with him. 10 days, Tuesday morning, the way he's just carried himself, I've come here really pleased with him and paraded sensational.
“Obviously, he had a class edge on most of these if you look at the trial form, etc. So, it's no surprise he's won, but I love the way he executed the race today. That's the best he's been for me in his three starts and that augurs well now for the seven-day backup.
“He's actually grown and lengthened in the prep, which is unusual for a 2yo in work, but his muscle tone is great, his health is great and for me, more importantly, he's executing his race as well.
“He didn't do that his first two starts. He's always done a little bit too much. And to give himself a really good chance to be competitive in a $3 million race in a week's time, you had to do that today.
With Maloney ridden the gelding in each of his starts, he clearly understanding and knows him well.
“Considering the price, it reflected in his win,” said Maloney post-win.
“So he certainly had the form on the board to do that. I just love the way he relaxed today. Even when Craig sort of came upside him, he didn't want to overdo it, which he did the other day.
“He's got the perfect temperament to hold himself together.
“Like I said, he's just got the perfect temperament for a two-year-old to back up next week.
“He certainly relaxed under me a lot better than what he did the other day.
Taking his overall record to two wins and a second from three starts with earnings of $236,400, Itchintogo was a $60,000 purchase by Glenhuntly Lodge Pty Ltd from the draft of Lucas Bloodstock at the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.
The second winner, and first at black type level from six to the races out of the Nothing To Lose mare Itchintowin, the pedigree extends back to the family of G1 winners Provence, Brutal and Wyndspelle.
Itchintogo is the lone stakes winner for Zoustar’s Sun City, who stood his most recent season at a fee of $8,800 (inc. GST) at Telemon Stud.
