IT MIGHT BE YOU - IT IS

Although not all plain sailing, debutante It Might Be You (3 Savabeel – Tootsie, by Pins) easily won the Te Rapa Event Centre Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on Saturday at Te Rapa.

Despite being caught amongst a three-way tussle on pace, It Might Be You was held together by rider Danielle Johnson and once asked to extend in the straight she quickly gained ascendency.

In training for owner/breeder Garry Chittick (Waikato Stud), she won a trial in similar fashion on 6 July at Taupo, and remained a clear favourite ($2.00 & $1.50) in the days leading up to the race.

Given dead ground at Taupo, co-trainer Pam Gerard had some reservations about handling Heavy10 but it worked out fine in the end.

“I was concerned about the track conditions, but her work during the week on a heavy track at Matamata was actually very good.

“She was a little bit legless when trialling on Slow7 at Te Rapa, but that was in May and she’s come on a lot since then.

“She’s really clicked on and was jumping out of her skin in preparation to racing. Also, there didn’t seem to be a lot of options in the next couple of weeks so we were happy enough to line her up.

“She had a good draw (5), Danielle Johnson our leading rider aboard and we were pretty excited about getting her to the races. She’d come along way and we were looking forward to getting her out.”

While overcoming some adversity in winning, It Might Be You had also experienced some tough times growing up.

“She’d had quite a nasty paddock accident and the guys at Waikato Stud were very patient with her,” Gerard said.

“Obviously, very well bred and a lovely filly but she spent the good part of a year in a box with an injury, so a bit slow maturing because of that.

“Her last two trials had been very good. She’s a filly with ability and we are very happy with her progress.

“As I said, we had some concerns over the track and think she’ll prefer better footing, but it is winter.

“We wanted to teach her to do things correctly and if she keeps progressing the right way she could end up over in Melbourne, with Mike (Moroney). But she’s still in the educational process.”

From a stakes winner and Group One placed mare, Tootsie, that impressed to 1400 metres on a range of footing (Good – Heavy), It Might Be You is a three-quarter sister to triple Group Two winning stallion Ocean Emperor (Zabeel).

“We had her ready to go when she put her leg through a fence, but it’s amazing how they recover,” said owner/breeder Garry Chittick.

“Sam McLeish, here on the farm, and Pam (Gerard) have done a bloody good job. And our vet Chris Phillips, but it’s just a time thing and she’s been in and out (of work).

“But, if you take away the injury, sometimes the extra time does the horse a lot of good.

“We’re likely to poke around and try to win a few races with her through the spring, and maybe consider going next autumn to Australia, if she’s up to it.

“It’s a very good family that was running a bit short on females. We were always going to retain her, regardless of the injury, especially with what we see top mares are making off the track and their commercial breeding appeal, you’re better to breed your own.

“It’s been our policy for a long time at Waikato Stud, trying to hang on to worthwhile fillies. We sell good fillies too, obviously, but our policy by and large has been: if we’ve got a mare we like, we try and keep the first two fillies so you don’t lose the family if something goes wrong. After that, we’re usually pretty happy to sell because you’ve got to get money from somewhere.

“We’ve got Movie (Savabeel) out of Tootsie, and now this one, which is about it at present for fillies out of her, directly.”

It Might Be You was strapped by Scott Magee.