O’Reilly masterclass

Sarah O’Reilly produced a harness racing masterclass when she piloted American Me (American Ideal) to win the $50,000 Listed Roy Purdon Memorial Handicap Pace at Alexandra Park in Auckland tonight (May 17).

O’Reilly made full use of her front line draw and once the seven year old stepped, the opposition’s chances faded as she paced out even quarters.

AMERCIAN ME REPLAY

“That’s his go. That’s why we came on this trip to get back to the standing starts. When we got that front row by ourselves it set it up for him to do what he likes to do. Sarah rated him a treat and got away with a couple of cheap quarters. It was a super drive,” said Tim White who trains in partnership with his father Brent.

The win was the horse’s fourteenth; nine with Doug Gale who trained him initially, and the balance with the White’s Ashburton stable.

“He’s done a super job since he joined us about a year ago. He’s taken the owners on a good ride in that time and taken us on one too.”

Late last year American Me won the Group One Invercargill Cup and he gets another chance for Group One glory next week in the $250,000 Auckland Cup.

Since being in the north American Me has been stationed at Stonewall Stud.

“We can’t thank them enough, and Matt Bowden. He’s travelled so well, he’s loved their setup and thrived on it really.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink