Former Topliner Out to Prove He’s Not Finished Yet

Like a battle weary prize fighter, million dollar earner It’sourtime has been up against the very best at one time or another.

This time a year ago he took on the best sprinters in the country in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.

A five time winner up the famous straight course, he held his ground for a respectable 9th in a field of 15, less than five lengths behind the brilliant winner Joliestar.

But in a far cry from his Melbourne days, It’sourtime will turn out for his third trainer in 12 months when he runs for the first time at Cluden Park on Sunday.

The eight-year-old is now in the care of accomplished Longreach trainer Toni Schofield after being bought for $3500 in an on-line auction.

His sale followed an unsuccessful stint in south-east Queensland for his previous owners who bought the Time For War gelding out of Melbourne for last year’s King Of The Mountain in Toowoomba and the Archer in Rockhampton.

Schofield’s husband, Nathan, will deputise for the stable in Townsville on Sunday when It’sourtime carries a whopping 67kg in the Quality Fabrications and Welding Open (1000m).

He said the stable had taken a punt that they could coax a flash of old form out of the 2025 Standish Hcp winner.

Comeback jockey Frank Edwards has been booked for the ride in Sunday’s race which features 1000m Cluden specialists Roweiner’s Dance and Molongle Surprise.

“I thought the handicapper might have been a bit kinder and scaled them a bit more, but it didn’t happen,” Schofield said.

“He’s had two wind operations but his breathing is fine and for an eight-year-old he’s very sound.

“It’s just a case of getting the old boy to get interested again. We bought him for the Cleveland Bay and the Newmarkets. If we can get a bit of his form and confidence back he’s definitely up to a Cleveland Bay,

“And for the $3500 we think it’s worth a go.

“But now that he’s going to get that sort of weight up here, if he shows something for us on Sunday we’re going to send him back south for the King Of The Mountain in Toowoomba and then maybe the Fitzroy in Rocky.

“I’d just like to see him jump well, find a spot where he’s happy and finish off nicely.

“His first run for us at Blackall was ok to finish fourth. He was slow away, went two strides, realised he was on the dirt and threw his head in the air and lost another four lengths before he ran on pretty well.”

Schofield will bring It’sourtime, Ohh Errol, Novaya and More Trouble to Townsville while wife Toni will head west with a team of four for Saturday’s Mt Isa meeting.

The recent flooding around Longreach will mean a longer journey to Townsville via Winton and Hughenden.

“I think all of ours have a chance but they just need luck to go their way,” he said.

Sunday’s eight-event card kicks off at 12.24pm.