Kyabram horseman Mick Blackmore, who brought out the champion trotting mare Claudy's Princess, was back in the winner’s circle at Melton with consistent squaregaiter Yankee Lover recently.
The four-year-old Love You gelding led throughout and spreadeagled his rivals, carving out his last 800 metres in 58.9 seconds.
Bred by Stanhope identities Malcom and Joan Shaw and their daughter Louise Pangrazio, Yankee Lover was offered at the 2019 Australasian Premier Trotting Sale but failed to reach his reserve.
He was later leased to Blackmore and his partner Pam Patten, the widow of the famous Moonee Valley ‘catcher’ Bob Patten and the daughter of legendary Sydney horseman Bert Alley.
“He was big and gangly as a youngster, so we tipped him in and out a few times,” Blackmore said.
Yankee Lover was placed in six of his seven outings before breaking his duck at Melton.
“He’s a nice horse who does everything right and that will take him a long way in life,” Blackmore said.
Yankee Lover is one of five winners produced by the Muscles Yankee mare Yankee Princess, a daughter of the former top flight race mare Maori Princess, a half-sister to a champion trotter in Noopy Kiosk and the multiple Group winner Tennotrump.
The mighty Maori’s Idol, the Inter Dominion champion Sumthingaboutmaori, Danny Bouchea and Blitzthemcalder are members of the family to which Yankee Lover belongs.
Another recent winner from the same APTS sale as that which produced Yankee Lover was Dream Inception, who trotted a mile in 1:57.3min at Menangle.