By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
Pukekohe trainer Jeremy Young rates his chances in the two $35,000 Metro Finals at Alexandra Park on Friday night.
He has Eyre I Will in Race 1, the Dunstan Speedfeed Metro Series Final Mobile Trot (5.26pm) and convincing last start winner Mantra in Race 2, the Dunstan Speedfeed Metro Series Final Mobile Pace (5.56pm).
He’s the only trainer to have starters in both the 3YO and older R35-45 Finals.
“It’s great those races are being put on, it’s great money on offer for that class of horse.”
The two finals will be part of a quality card that includes the $150,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million Final for the 3YO Fillies and the $200,000 Harness Million Final for the 3YO Colts and Geldings where budding superstar Marketplace is a $1.30 favourite. `
Young is not too smitten by the draw he’s got in the Trotters’ Final though. Eyre I Will start from one on the second row, following out Sassy Star.
“It’s the worst draw really .. we’ll have to be cautious early and then try and get out at some stage.”
“But his work has been very good.”
The five-year-old has won five from 43 and was a last start fourth at Alexandra Park last Friday behind Miss Bebe, who will be a race rival again this week. She’s currently at $3.30, with the Purdon-trainer Luby’s Luck the favourite at $3.20.
In the pacers’ final Mantra is currently a $7.50 third favourite behind the Brian and Gareth Hughes-trained pair of Carrera Hombre and Runkle Crunch.
“Both of them are very nice horses and they are both Captain Crunches and they are flying at the moment,” says Young.
But he likes the chances of Mantra as well. As opposed to Eyre I Will he’s drawn well, at five.
“He likes rolling along so we would look to go forward with him.”
At his last start at Cambridge on March 4 he won by five lengths – it was his third win in 19 starts.
“And he won in 2:41 (for 2200 mobile) which was surprising as he did it easy.”
“Both of mine are in with a show,” says Young.
The next round of Metro Heats and Finals will be in May. There will be $20,000 Heats for both the pacers and trotters on May 9 and 23, with $35,000 Finals for both gaits set down for Friday, May 30. All heats and finals will be at Alexandra Park.