Northam Cup success for Watching Our Coin

Michael Young continues to show his class, with the Mardella based 34-year-old claiming top harness racing prize in the $35,000 Grafton Electrical Northam Pacing Cup on Saturday night with the well performed Watching Our Coin NZ (He’s Watching).

Driven by Gary Hall Jnr, the pair started off the 30m handicap over the 2560m journey around Burwood Park, and in an exciting finish, Watching Our Con NZ got his head in front at the right time to win by a half head margin ahead of Feeling Aces.

Owned by prominent ownership group in Aaron Bain Racing, Summit Bloodstock as well as an array of other happy owners, the six-year-old made his way to the stables of Michael Young Pacing at the end of 2022, and after having his first start for the team in January 2023, Watching Our Cown NZ has now had 21 starts for the stable for 10 wins and 7 placings.

The win was no surprise for Young who has a big opinion of the horse, confirming that the horse has always gone nice and shows plenty of ability.

Young is currently dominating the Albany round, sitting on top of the leaderboard for Leading Trainer of the Year in the Great Southern, with Chillin continuing to assert his dominance, bringing up his fourth win from four starts down there this season.

Chillin currently leads the way in the race for Albany Horse Of The Year.

WATCHING OUR COIN REPLAY

The stable enjoyed a double at Albany, but now looks forward to Tuesday at Gloucester Park with Sporting Grace and Sweet Lucifer racing.

On Friday they will head back to Gloucester Park with Evas Image contesting the $50,000 Group 2 Trotters Cup (2503m SS), with Young looking forward to that.

Four-year-old Penny Black NZ will head to the stables of Michael Young Pacing shortly after being purchased by connections for $100,000. The daughter of Sweet Lou NZ is only lightly raced with just the six starts under her belt for the one win, but Young is excited about the new prospect.

Penny Black NZ arrived last week but was sent straight to the paddock and will resume training in four to six weeks.

For complete race results, click here.

by Ashleigh Paikos, for RWWA