Youshallnotpass has been a beaten favourite in all three of her starts, and even the quietly spoken and ever-humble Gareth Hughes believes she is due a winning turn at Cambridge Raceway tonight (Friday).
The 3-year-old American Ideal filly looks one of the ‘bets of the night’ at the seven-race (71 nominations) Harness Racing Waikato meeting. Her natural progression and her ace draw should see her near or on the pace – and then win.
“She’s trained on well since resuming from a couple of months away from the races. That night she finished an encouraging second and earlier on she has done a bit of work in her races so that will put her in good stead here. She’s been freshened well for this and Dad thinks she should go close,” Hughes said.
The ‘Dad’ he was referring to is South Auckland trainer Brian (Bunty) Hughes. His son is the ‘silent training partner’ who does a lot of the hard yards at their Ardmore stable.
Youshallnotpass will line up in the sixth event – the James' Waikato TAB Maiden Pace. All three of her starts have been at Cambridge Raceway.
“She’s the only one we are taking to Cambridge and hopefully she will make the trip worth our while. She’s a big filly who still has quite a bit of developing to do. She’s starting to learn what racing is all about and will win one soon,” Hughes (Gareth) said,
Youshallnotpass qualified 4.1 seconds under time at Pukekohe on January 30 last year and was then put aside before making her race debut with a second behind Opoutama on September 8.
A fortnight later she finished third behind Lady Madonna and Brookes Rose, before resuming with a second behind Rocknroll Lincoln on December 30.
Tonight’s she will have Todd Macfarlane in the bike for the first time after Maurice McKendry drove her in her previous three starts. McKendry is committed to the pacer he trains – Shanocon, who has drawn four on the second line.
All three of Youshallnotpass’s races have been over tonight’s 2200m mobile distance. Her times have been and 2:45 flat, 2:49.1 and 2:44 even last start.
“She’s got the ability to take the next step up. She is just a work in progress and even though we both like her a lot we are not thinking any further ahead than once race at a time with her.
“To say she is a Jewels horse at this early stage of her career would be silly because we all know that racehorses can let you down and surprise you at the same time. All we can say is that she is a very nice pacer in the making,” said Hughes.
“I think she will just keep improving because she needed those first couple of runs,” he added.
Youshallnotpass also drew the ace last start and was beaten for speed early. She trailed fifth favourite Hezaluckygrinner and by the time she wound up in the straight Rocknroll Lincoln and David Butcher had stolen a march.
“She unwound real nice that night and we were pleased with the way she sprinted her last 100 metres. She has the breeding to go on with it,” Hughes said.
She was bred by Hughes (Bunty) and co-owner John Green. The bay filly is fourth of six foals out of the Artiscape mare, Twice As Great, who in turn was out of the five-win Butler B G mare, Twice As Great.
Duane Ranger