American Me looking to defend Methven title

The Brent and Tim White trained harness racing pacer American Me (American Ideal) heads to Mount Harding Racecourse on Sunday to defend his Methven Cup title.

“He’s as bright as, this week and pulled up super from last weeks run. He’s probably just needing the racing and this is only going to be his third run back. He’s hopefully going to be peaking for Cup time but hopefully we can do enough in the next few weeks to keep us in the hunt,” Tim White says.

American Me currently sits in eleventh place on the IRT New Zealand Cup seedings board.

The gelding won last year’s feature by two and a half lengths in the hands of Sarah O’Reilly and White is confident he’ll race well in this year’s race.

“I definitely do. He races well on the grass. I’m not sure how much rain Methven is getting but if it doesn’t turn into a bog track which I’m sure it won’t, that’ll suit him well enough.”

American Me has won four races on grass and has a one from one winning record on the track.

“He’ll probably need cover. It’s going to be how they step early. Last year he trailed three fence, popped out with 700 to go and made his run and just kept going. He can’t go out there and make his own luck.”

In last year’s New Zealand Cup the gelding finished fourth behind Swayzee.

“He went super and Sarah drove him a treat. Every move she made was the right one and he was able to close the race out really well. 3000 metres seems to be his distance. We tried to lead up in Auckland (Auckland Cup) and he just peaked on his run late. That was an indication to us that we can’t do it all the way up front. We just have to pick our moments and that’s what Gerard (driver Gerard O’Reilly) is paid the big money for in keeping Sarah’s seat warm (laughter).”

If American Me wins he’ll become only the second horse to win the Cup twice, joining Eastwood Jaunty which won for George Shand in 2001 and 2003.

The Whites’ other runner in the Cup, Got You Covered (Art Major) has an exceptional record on the grass with seven of his twelve wins coming on that surface. The additional distance should also suit the six year old.

“He’s got a super record in this race. He’s been unlucky the last two years in a row. He never saw daylight when Kim drove him and he still ran fourth. And last year he was back on the fence and Franco Indie stopped in front of him. He got out late and came home really good.”

Got You Covered has had three starts this campaign.

“We’re happy with how he’s gone this preparation. Kim (driver Kim Butt) was happy with him the other night. He seems bright and happy and the grass is a big help. It’s his last crack to see whether he can sneak into the Cup and do the dream for Wendy (owner Wendy Nordqvist). The cut out of the track would suit him to.”

Brent and Tim also take unbeaten four year old Clonakilty (Downbytheseaside) to Methven on Sunday, he’ll start in Race Seven. He last raced at Wyndham a month ago beating some handy types.

“He won well down there. We didn’t have a plan after that race. We’ve just taken our time with him. He lightened up a touch on that trip so we’ve just got the condition back into him and he seems to be working well. He’s a horse we have a lot of time for. It’ll be hard to keep his good record up but he’ll give it a nudge on Sunday. If the track’s too wet he won’t be there.”

The newly programmed $200,000 Four Year Old Feature at Addington on 6^th December is a target the Whites are considering.

“I’d be there hook, line and sinker but Dad would love to win a race like the Nelson Cup. I wouldn’t be surprised if he snuck up there and got into those sorts of races.”

Sunday will be the first time Clonakilty has raced on the grass but White says it won’t be an issue.

“We bought the horse off Danny McKendry and he worked him on the grass at Methven all the time. He had a workout on the track before he went south.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink