By Duane Ranger
Pukekohe trainer Jeremy Young bought two American Ideal fillies at the 2014 Autumn Weanling in Auckland .
American Empress went on to become the fifth highest Jewels qualifier in 2016-2017 ($56,796) and quickly became Young’s flagship horse.
Lynbar Rose suffered from stifle joint problems early on and her only healer has been time.
But Young’s patience with the now well-developed bay is starting to pay dividends if Saturday’s qualifying trial at Pukekohe is anything to go by.
The Charles Roberts-bred filly won by one-and-a-quarter lengths going 4.7 seconds under the required time.
Maurice McKendry (MNZM) trailed with Lynbar Rose throughout the 2050m mobile and then in the lane they bolted through to easily win under a hold. She stopped the clock in 2:37.5 pacing a 2:03.6 mile rate and coming home in 60.2 and 29.8.
“I’ve always had a bit of time for her and now that she appears to be over her leg problem hopefully she can now develop into a nice race-horse.
“I’m not saying she will be as good as American Empress, but she felt like a good race-horse in the making early on, and Maurice was delighted with her trial on Saturday. This is her second preparation back after my vet Ivan Bridge discovered a problem with her stifle joint shortly after her first prep,” Young said.
“She will probably have another trial before she makes her race-day debut in three to four weeks,” he added.
He said American Empress, who finished eighth in Spanish Armada’s recent 3yo Diamond Final, would have six weeks off before being brought back into work.
Young put his personal best season earnings of $92,309 down to his loyal band of owners.
The same owners – Hazel van Opzeeland, Paul Curran, Kenneth Moore, and the Zinnycef Syndicate – own both American Empress and Lynbar Rose.
Young paid $8,500 for American Empress and $2,200 for Lynbar Rose.
“The owners, which also includes me ole Lincoln High School mates, have been awesome and given me a leg up as a trainer starting out. I’ve only had my licence for a few years now and in that time I have been up to build up a promising team of yearlings and two-year-olds, as well as my race horses.
“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 One company.
“I got a taste of it at the Jewels and now my goal is to not only line uip against the best but also beat them one day. I am intent on doing that. If you don’t set goals in this game you just go through the motions,” said Young.
He’s the first to admit he rode on the coat tails of Mark Purdon for many years when he worked for him and was Auckland Reactor’s strapper.
“It’s funny to think I’ve got four Auckland Reactors running around at the moment and they are just like their Dad – laid back gentle giants.
“I’ve also got a Highview Tommy who is the splitting image of his father, not just in looks but in many of his traits and ways as well,” 44-year-old Young said.
“I’m really enjoying what I do – and you can put a lot of it down to my loyal band of owners and supporters,” he added.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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