That’s It Out to Make a Mark for Chillemi

Leading trainer Roy Chillemi is banking on promising youngster That’s It playing his part in a stable revival with two-year-olds this season.

That’s It is a strong fancy to land Chillemi his first juvenile win for the year in the Magic Millions March Catalogue 2YO QTIS Mdn Hcp (1000m) at Cluden Park tomorrow.

The veteran trainer, who has won 17 Townsville premierships and produced some of the north’s best young gallopers in owner Tom Hedley’s colours, is coming off a dismal season with two-year-olds in 2022/23.

But he’s optimistic his new crop of seven “babies” can turn around the stable’s fortunes this year, starting with quick learner That’s It.

“Last year I had the worst crop of two-year-olds I’ve ever had by far,” Chillemi said,

“We’d had a very good run with so many good young horses, but last year was very disappointing.

“I had 11 two-year-olds but not one of them turned out much good.

“This season I’ve got seven two-year-olds. They’ve been a bit behind coming to us from the pre-trainers but I don’t really care about that as long as they’re sound and turn out all right.”

That’s It is by Smart Missile, the same sire as Chillemi and Hedley’s brilliant two-year-old of 2022 Missile Thunder.

He delighted the stable with his debut second at Cluden to Hell Of A Bentley on February 1 in an open 2YO handicap.

Chillemi expects the gelding to be further improved for tomorrow’s assignment.

“Anyone would be pleased with that. He got held up momentarily at one point and it broke his momentum,” Chillemi said.

“He had to change course and get going again and finished off really well.

“He’s a little horse who learns quick. You don’t have to repeat things with him three or four times before he picks it up. He’s quick to learn and that to me is a good sign he’s a natural.

“He hadn’t really done anything substantial before he came to me, only a short jump out with the pre-trainer to get his barrier certificate. 

“We’ve done most of the work with him at home but only with two or three other horses.

“His jockey the other day Jason Taylor said he baulked in amongst the other horses and dropped back to second last before he got going again.

“Now that he’s had the experience at the races, I expect him to jump good and race better in the field.”

That’s It’s chances have been boosted even further with Gate 2. Chillemi has booked premiership jockey Lacey Morrison for the ride.

Meanwhile, he expects the consistent Invincible Bay to run well in the Ladbrokes Racing Club BM 70 Hcp (1609m) and a step up to 1200m to suit Maranzano in the Ladbrokes Cl3 Plate.

Invincible Bay has placed at his past three starts, including a fast finishing second to Bondurant at Cluden Park on January 20.

At his most recent run he finished third in Cairns two weeks ago, but Chillemi is hoping a return to the more spacious Cluden track will produce a win.

“Invincible Bay seems like he’s one of those horses that you think will always win next start,” Chillemi said.

“He’s no world beater but he tries hard and if he runs up to his second in Townsville two starts back he’d be hard to beat.

“I think 1200m will suit Maranazo better, but everything has got to go his way.

“We’ve also got The Wallet in the last but the wide draw is tough first up.”

The six event card kicks off 1.54pm.

Pictured: That's It, in the prominent orange Hedley colours, flashes late to finish second on debut behind Hell Of A Bentley. That's It is a big hope of landing his first win at Cluden tomorrow for leading trainer Roy Chillemi.

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.