Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Outstanding horseman Michael Young is poised to celebrate his burgeoning career by notching his century of winners this season.
The 33-year-old Mundijong trainer is in dazzling form and goes into Friday night’s Gloucester Park meeting with a sequence of four wins from his past four starters — Miss Serenade at Gloucester Park last Saturday night, Ideal Tomado and Arden Velocity at Pinjarra on Monday and Miss Serenade at Gloucester Park on Tuesday evening.
Astute punters will be keen to support his five runners at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he recommends Orlando Blue and Cooper as the best winning prospects.
Orlando Blue, to be driven by Maddison Brown, is favourably drawn at barrier two in the Catalano Truck And Equipment Sales Pace, and Brown will also be in the sulky when Cooper starts from barrier two on the front line in the Specialised Equipment Funding Solutions Handicap, a stand over 2503m.
“I’ve never dreamt of being in this position, so I’m pretty proud,” said Young, who is in his third season as a trainer.
“I’m not sure whether I’ll get the century on Friday night. My best chance is Orlando Blue; the 2536m will suit him, and there are a few ways he can win. He was good first-up last week (when fourth behind Ima Rockabilly Rebel) and he should get a good run, either on the speed somewhere or on the outside of The Kraken.”
Young will also be represented in that event by Moonlite Drive, who will be driven by Kyle Symington from barrier six. “If they go hard, Moonlite Drive can definitely win.”
Moonlite Drive impressed last Friday night with his fast-finishing half-head second to Ima Rockabilly Rebel. He set the pace and won narrowly from Platinum Sparkle over 2130m the previous Friday night.
Cooper resumed after a spell last Friday night when he reared and lost ground at the standing start before he made an unsuccessful bid for the lead in the first lap and then trailed the pacemaker Deeorse before fighting on finish a close-up fourth behind Firerockfireroll.
Firerockfireroll, also prepared by Young, will be driven by Symington from the 10m mark in Friday night’s race, with Young saying: “He is always each-way in these type of races.”
Cooper and Firerockfireroll are sure to meet with spirited opposition from the Greg and Skye Bond-trained pair of Himself and Aussie Scooter, both being smart standing-start performers.
Himself will be driven by Deni Roiberts and will start off the 20m mark, while Ryan Warwick will drive frontmarker Aussie Scooter.
Cooper and Himself began from the front line in the 3309m Marathon Handicap in August when Cooper won by a length from Cooper.
“Himself was better than Cooper in the Marathon, but now he gives Cooper a 20-metre head start, and maybe we can turn the tables,” said Young.
Apart from Cooper, Firerockfireroll, Orlando Blue and Moonlite Drive, Young will be represented by Getn Wiggy Withit, to be driven by Symington from the No. 2 barrier in the 1730m Catalano Truck And Equipment Sales Ugga Dugga Pace.
“Getn Wiggy Withit is going really good and is definitely ready to win,” said Young. “He just needs a barrier, and he’s finally got a (good) barrier. But it’s good in theory but terrible on paper.”
That comment, no doubt, was inspired by the fact that in-form noted frontrunner Ifeel Sikdarl had drawn the prized No. 1 barrier and is sure to be ideally suited over the 1730m journey.