Ideal Night For Young
22 June, 2018
Harness
Trainer-reinsman Shane Young went to Gloucester Park with two drives last night, both in Group 1 races.
He left with a Group 1 win and a Group 1 second placing.
He recorded his Group 1 win in the Westbred 3YO Fillies Classic (2130m) with Rosies Ideal, while his Group 1 second placing came little more than 30 minutes later when Highroller Joe finished second to One Off Delight in the 3YO Colts and Geldings division of the Westbred Classic.
Since Rosies Ideal was placed in the Westbred 2YO Fillies Classic last year for Young, she was transferred to Justin Prentice’s stable for a preparation, before returning to Young’s last month.
Heading into last night’s $100,000 event, Rosies Ideal had little support in the market, jumping a $21 chance with TABtouch, and she would have been an even bigger price as the field came down the home straight the penultimate time.
The American Ideal filly had just two runners behind her, while some of the favoured runners De La Tourbie, Infinite Symbol, Lady De La Renta and Veiled Secret controlled the race in front.
De La Tourbie led the field into the home turn, while Rosies Ideal was the widest runner on the track.
Despite having to maintain the sprint from the 400m mark, Rosies Ideal finished far too strong for her rivals to win by more than a metre to Arma Rich Girl and the tiring De La Tourbie.
Young said he still had confidence Rosies Ideal could win the race despite the wide draw.
“I’ve always had a great opinion of the filly,” he said.
“I went in to the race thinking she was as good as any filly in it.
“I gave her a chance tonight, but the draw didn’t help her and it was a quality field.
“The way they ran the race suited, because they got home slow, but she still did a great job to get up.”
Young said Rosies Ideal would continue on to the $30,000 Dainty’s Daughter Classic for the 3YO Fillies at Pinjarra on July 16.
Meanwhile, One Off Delight had a cosy time leading throughout the 3YO Colts and Geldings for driver Gary Hall Jnr, and was too strong for his rivals in the finish, with Highroller Joe and Liam Neil filling the minor placings.
Young was still positive with the performance of Highroller Joe despite the defeat.
“He got a good run like we anticipated, but unfortunately Jnr was too clever and held back,” he said.
“I think if he had have got out on the corner, he probably would have won.”
Elsewhere, Bettors Fire established himself as the premier open class pacer of the winter, taking out the Listed Winter Cup (2536m).
Bettors Fire was restrained at the start from barrier eight, before Kyle Harper sent the veteran of 101 starts to the lead on the penultimate lap, and was too strong for Maczaffair and Our Jimmy Johnstone.
In the night’s other feature event, Babyface Adda took out the Westsired 2YO Pace for trainer Ross Olivieri and driver Shannon Suvaljko.
Tim Walker