By Michael Guerin
The strangest start to an open class season in years could be about to get stranger.
Just one month ago you would have been hard-pressed believing Christian Cullen would be beaten by a bunch of nobodies at Oamaru and Ouch could come from last to beat the best pacers in the North Island.
Strange but true. Now Tony Shaw wants to add to the weirdness that is the open-class pacing season.
The Cambridge horseman could be the secret weapon behind turning Yulestar into one of the dark horses of harness racing.
Yulestar has always shown ability for her Taranaki trainer Lorraine Nolan. The motor has always been there but quite often under pressure the wheels would come off.
Being an open class force is hard for any horse. When you are based in the Central Districts it is almost impossible. And a horse from Taranaki beating the best at Alexandra Park - that would definitely continue the open class strangeness.
But to help in that battle Shaw has been putting the polish of Yulestar for Nolan recently and some smart judges have been impressed.
Rival trainers have been generous in their praise of Yulestar's effortless win at the Pukekohe trials nine days ago.
This season he has graduated from a 59 inch hopple to a 61 inch, helping him pace more fluently. And the improvement and confidence that come with it have flowed right through the gelding's training regime.
"He is stepping away well, pacing cleanly. He feels great," said Shaw.
On Thursday night Shaw and Nolan get to put the new, improved Yulestar to the test. A big test.
With only that winning trial last week under his belt Yulestar will take on Holmes D G, Agua Caliente, Ouch and the rest of the northern open-class gang.
Even being off the front in the North Shore City Stakes is a huge ask. But Shaw says the 5-year-old version of Yulestar can do it.
"His being fresh doesn't worry me because I think he has won every other time he has started a campaign," said Shaw.
"He is a very clean-winded horse and the way he has been working the one I am worried about the most if Ouch, because he is off the front line with us.
"I don't think that the open-class horses can give us a 15m start and beat us."
Yulestar and Shaw have a lot riding on Thursday night's feature.
Yulestar needs the win to push for New Zealand Cup selection as he is still only class eight. To Shaw the win could mean even more.
Shaw has been a consistent improver in the past three seasons and is recognised as much these days for his talent as his jovial demeanour.
On Thursday he takes his first step as a trainer - albeit in a caretaking capacity - into the dog fight that is open-class racing.
Good results there could have obvious spin offs for a young man looking to take his career to new levels.
It is along way from a Pukekohe trial as a class eight pacer to the New Zealand Cup. But both Yulestar and Shaw have what it takes to get there.
Horse Racing: Shaw to unleash budding star
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