Young guns to star in the return of juvenile feature

The Oamaru Juvenile Stakes was last run twenty five years ago, and on Sunday the $25,000 Two Year Old harness racing feature returns.

Whether another star is born, only time will tell.

Greats like Lordship, Holy Hal, Noodlum and Honkin Vision have won this race, so it carries plenty of mana.

Canterbury trainer Cran Dalgety will line up two – Franco Mecca (Rock N Roll Heaven) and Watermelon Sugar (Sweet Lou).

“Both my two have improved with a run under their belt so they’ll be quite competitive. Being a twenty five thousand dollar race it will be competitive but we’re there to motor match,” Dalgety said.

Dalgety says Franco Mecca, despite being by Rock N Roll Heaven is a fairly laid back type.

“It helps that he’s out of a Bettors Delight mare while the other guy is quite a high speed horse. One will race on the pace if he can get there while the other will show his speed later.”

Rolleston trainer Mark Purdon is happy enough with Final Collect’s (Art Major) condition is not so happy with his inside draw on the second row.

“I’m sure if we can work our way off the markers early and take a position one off, he’ll be hard to beat. It’s just the draw you don’t want with a horse like him,” Purdon said.

With last start winners in Spirit Of Arion (Sweet Lou) and Rakamurph (Captaintreacherous) as well as the Robert and Jenna Dunn runner Charlie Brown (Art Major), this race carries plenty of intrigue.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart for Harnesslink