Young guns ready to give it their best shot
Jeremy Young has already achieved one dream at Alexandra Park this season and tonight he will see a smaller one come true.
Because while he may not even win a race tonight for the Pukekohe horseman having five starters is a continuation of a wonderful year.
Young broke into the big time when his filly Best Western won the Northern Oaks in March, his maiden group one success and coming at the expense of Belle Of Montana, a certainty to be named New Zealand Filly of the Year.
Best Western is back in work and being aimed at the Breeders Crown in Australia in August, giving Young a shot at a transtasman group one double.
“Even now, months after she won the Oaks I still can’t believe it,” admits Young. “That was a real thrill for a trainer like me and to be taking her to the Breeders Crown is another one. So it is something to look forward to.”
Best Western won’t be at Alexandra Park tonight but Young will have five reps, impressive for a trainer who only has 11 horses in work.
“It is my version of the old days when I worked for the All Stars, taking a float full of horses to the races, except this time they are mine.
“It is nice to you have young horses coming through but you still need racehorses too and with the stakes the way they are at The Park it is great to have horses racing there. So it really continues what has been a great season. I’ve got some good owners around me now, including some new ones so while it can be a tough game I am staying positive.”
Two newcomers to the Young team clash in the feature trot (race five) and they face vastly different challenges. Eyre I Go is only a 3-yearold massively up in grade but off the front line whereas Missandei is a former Harness Jewels winner and open class mare but off 40m over 2200m.
The dreaded 40m handicap over 2200m has actually been overcome a couple of times in recent years at Alex Park but Young thinks Missandei might need to cut some corners to add to that record tonight.
“It is not an easy thing to do and a lot depends on the horses in front of you. She can win but she might need some luck. Whereas I think Eyre I Go is a really progressive young trotter the owners are going to have a lot of fun with but this is a big jump for a 3-year-old.”
Kolovos (race six) won a small Breeders Crown heat this time last year which earned him some fans among punters which he probably wasn’t ready to repay but Young thinks he is getting closer.
“He is a very big horse and was a bit weak but I think he will make a nice horse.
“He follows out a horse who could lead so if we can trail he has an eachway chance.”
The Stunning Nun in race four has been brave all season but has the outside front line draw in a decent field for this time of the year so will appreciate a hot pace while veteran Imajollywally looks up against it under the handicap conditions of race nine.