Danny O’Brien hopes to keep raising the bar with It’sourtime

It’sourtime returns to Flemington in search of back-to-back wins as Danny O’Brien aims to go through the grades with the rising sprinter.

It’sourtime, ridden by Fred Kersley, after winning at Sale in January. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Danny O’Brien wants performances not expectations to direct a path for rising sprinter It’sourtime.

It’sourtime returns to Flemington on Saturday chasing back-to-back wins after blasting by Magnajet and unlucky Duchess Of Dorset on Stakes day.

Duchess Of Dorset franked the performance, bolting in her next start, while Magnajet finished fourth in a strong form race behind Marabi and Savannah Cloud.

It’sourtime firmed $4 into $3.60 with TAB for the 1200m Benchmark 84 from unbeaten Patrick Payne-trained $3.80 second elect Sixbysixtythree.

“It’s a good next step for him,” O’Brien said.

“If he can keep going through his grades he’ll get to a decent race.

“But at the moment we’re trying to get him through his next start.”

Twice Group-placed It’sourtime has raced six times for three wins.

His only blemish – second last in the Group 1 Australian Guineas last February – was attributed to a now surgically-repaired throat condition.

“He was good first-up there over the carnival, had to wait around for a suitable race again,” O’Brien said.

“This looks a pretty deep race, he’s got to be a good each-way hope.”

O’Brien has strong representation at Flemington on Saturday with six starters, including in-form Exeter, stable debutant Murrami Express and Basarwa.

Two-year-old debut winner Stupendo will head towards the Magic Millions 2YO Classic. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Murrami Express, a three-year-old son of O’Brien-trained Group 1 winner Shamexpress, won a Geelong maiden and placed twice in five starts for previous trainers Jason Warren and Dean Krongold.

“We’re expecting him to run well on Saturday, that will give us a base camp to see where he should go from there,” O’Brien said.

Murrami Express finished second in a Moe trial last month behind Charles The Great, who has trained on to win impressively since.

O’Brien confirmed two-year-old Flemington winner Stupendo will be aimed at next month’s $2m Magic Millions Classic at Gold Coast after bouncing through the debut run in great order.

Stupendo is a $15 third-favourite with TAB for the Gold Coast feature on January 15.

Starelle will also be Queensland-bound for the $250,000 The Wave at Gold Coast – a week before the Millions.

Stablemate Paradee completed a lucrative Gold Coast raid last year, winning The Wave and Magic Millions Open Handicap.

The double netted owners a $500,000 windfall, including a $200,000 bonus as a Millions-qualified winner of The Wave.

Starelle is also be eligible for the bonus.

Originally published as Danny O’Brien hopes to keep raising the bar with It’sourtime