By Duane Ranger
Even a holiday in Rarotonga won’t stop Jeremy Young coming back to Cambridge Raceway tonight (Thursday) to watch his flagship horse do the business.
The Pukekohe trainer left for the Cook Islands last Friday and desperately wants American Empress to finish in the top two in race three.
The daughter of American Ideal will start from gate three (of seven) in the fifth heat of the $20,000 Nevele R 3YO Fillies Series.
The Group One $140,000 Final will be run at Addington Raceway on May 12.
“It’s my last chance to qualify her for the big race. I know there might be a Nevele Consolation if she doesn’t make it.
“That would tighten her up nicely for the (Group 1 $150,000) New Zealand Oaks the week later. That is her main targets this season and then of course the Jewels in Ashburton not long after,” said Young, who returns to New Zealand on Wednesday night.
American Empress is currently fourth on the 3YO Diamond Harness Jewels leader board.
“The filly means a lot to me,” he added.
By that Young said American Empress was his ‘flagship’ horse – the one he first went out and got new owners for after his main stable client and good friend Bryan Newberry passed away in April 2016.
Young paid $8,500 for American Empress at the 2014 Weanling Sales. Her owners are Hazel van Opzeeland (Prebbleton), Kenneth Moore (Onehunga), Paul Curran (Pukekohe), and the Zinnycef Syndicate.
“I’ve got owners from all parts of the country involved and I’m just so glad they’ve got a decent horse,” he said.
American Empress was bred by John Green.
“I like her chances on Thursday because outside of Party On and Spanish Armada I think the 3-year-old fillies are an even lot. There are some nice age group horses who can all go well.
“I didn’t see her trial on Saturday but from what Sailesh said she got the best possible trial going into race-night,” Young said.
Abernethy never had to pull the plugs as American Impress beat Kiwi Tintin and Delightful Zen by a head and half a head in a R55 to R75 workout at Pukekohe on Saturday. She is an R61 pacer and boasts the highest ranked in Thursday’s field.
American Empress trailed Delightful Zen and Andrew Sharpe throughout and then the pair had a speed dual 400m from home with the Young trained filly having too much stamina at the finish.
She paced the 2050m mobile (left handed in 2:38.5 (mile rate 2:04.4) and home in 58.5 and 28.6.
“Even though I didn’t see it I’m rapt with that. I think she is good enough to make the final, but she can be a bit slow away at times. She will need to do a bit to stay in touch, but in saying that she has drawn well (3) and it’s only a small field,” Young said.
The 44-year-old Franklin horseman said he loved sport and saw racing as no different.
“When you play a sport you want to play it to the best of your ability, and as a trainer I have only ever wanted a horse to race and compete well in Group 1 company.
“I rode on the coat tails of Mark for many years when I worked for him and was Auckland Reactor’s strapper. I tasted Group One victory on many occasions thanks to him and it felt great. Now I want that feeling again – in my own name,” Young said.
American Empress’s only win came when she beat recent Group One Northern Oaks runner-up Juice Brogden in a $12,000 maiden at Alexandra Park on December 2.
She drew the ace that night and sprinted the 2200m mobile in 2:41.5 (mile rate 1:58.1) and last 800m and 400m in 56.7 and 27.9.
That time would go close to winning tonight’s feature pacing event.
American Empress has now had 14 starts, for one win and seven placings. She has won $42,736 in stakes.
“We will have all guns blazing on Thursday. Her trial win has put her in good stead for this week. It’s just so rewarding to have a horse good enough to contest these races,” Young said.
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