American Me goes from two Whites to another

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

Now clearly in the twilight of his career, Group 1 winner American Me is about to embark on a new campaign that could well decide his racing future.

The American Ideal nine-year-old, who has won 18 races, has been transferred from Brent and Tim White's Ashburton barn to Matty White's at Clevedon.

"A lot of the owners are from up this way," says the Auckland-based White, "we have three races mapped out for him. And he'll tell us if he wants to carry on."

"In saying that he's arrived here in great order and seems happy and healthy."

White had his first hobbled run with the horse late last week.

"We gave him a week off after the Country Cups and haven't done a lot with him."

In that race at Addington on May 22 American Me finished 12th in the Hydroflow Country Championship Final, won by It's Tough 

American Me is no stranger to the northern racing scene, with three wins at Alexandra Park and five at Cambridge. His first nine wins were for Bulls trainer Doug Gale. He was transferred to Gavin Smith, and then the Whites in Mid Canterbury in 2023.   

Matty White has driven him twice before - on both occasions finishing second at Cambridge behind B D Joe and Marathon Man in 2021.

In his heyday as a six-year-old, American Me was good enough to win the Group 1 Invercargill Cup and finish fourth in Swayzee's New Zealand Cup win in 2023.

White plans to line American Me up in three starts from his new base - two mobiles and a stand.

Decisions will then be made on his racing future, with the well-performed gelding so far having 123 starts with stakes earnings of over $435,000.