Young faces in the spotlight

Two year olds take the spotlight tomorrow night at Alexandra Park in Auckland with heats of the Breckon Farms Young Guns for two year old colts and geldings and the Gallagher Insurance Young Guns for two year old fillies being run.

Clevedon trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan have hands to play in both races.

In the Breckon Farms Young Guns, they have two runners.

Debutant We Will Rise Again, (Lazarus) has had a workout and a trial and was super impressive in winning his trial by four lengths at Pukekohe. His grandmother Tupelo Rose won thirty five races and $1.1 million.

“He’s nice enough and has kept on improving, but he’ll have to improve again come race day. He’s not small and is going to be a lot better as a late two year old – early three year old. He’s definitely a chance. He’s got the ability, but it’s the first time under lights and you like to see them do it first. He’s definitely a winning chance but there’s a couple of nice horses that have drawn on the inside, so we’ll see how we go,” Scott said.

We Will Rise Again will be handled by Zachary Butcher.

Bamm Bamm (Tall Dark Stranger) has had a trial and a workout, winning both. He showed good gate speed to lead in his Pukekohe trial and was run down late by the trailing horse. He gets a wide draw on Friday.

“It would have been nice if he’d draw the inside. He’s a bit behind the other fella (We Will Rise Again). He’ll go back at the start, sit in and get a bit of experience. If he runs on at the end we’ll be pretty happy.”

Harrison Orange takes the reins.

Ann Penny, Supermodelle and Field Of Gold will represent the Purdon/Phelan barn in the Gallagher Insurance Young Guns.

Ann Perry (Bettor’s Delight) has had two race day starts for a third and a fourth. Her dam Precious Rose, won the final of this series in 2011. She draws barrier one.

“I think her raceday start will help. It’s probably her first good draw and we really don’t like to waste good draws. She’s got good gate speed and is more of a natural two year old than the other two. I’m sure she’ll go a good race.”

Supermodelle (Captaintreacherous) has had one workout and a trial. She’s out of the twelve win race mare Elle Mac.

“She trialled well first up, then trialled against a colt last time and he beat her by a little way. She’s definitely stepped up since then. The second trial was probably a bit of an eye opener. She’s a big filly and will be a lot better with time. It’s good chucking them in and seeing how they progress.”

Field Of Gold (Captain Crunch) is a half-sister to the recent winner Sunsoutgunsout. She too has had a workout and a trial.

“She’s pretty similar to the other filly (Supermodelle). She’s trialled well and come through the trial well. We’ll just see how she comes through this start. If she races well she’ll go onto the final. But if she doesn’t she could end up in the paddock.”

The finals for both series will be run at the park in a fortnight – the $100,000 G1 Young Guns Cardigan Bay Stakes for the boys and the $100,000 G1 Young Guns Delightful Lady Classic for the girls.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink