Berger hoping for early birthday present at Manawatu

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

Mike Berger will be celebrating his 69th birthday on Friday, but he is hoping one of his presents comes early when he heads to Manawatu Raceway on Thursday.

The Cambridge trainer will take four runners to the Palmerston North track, including Cos I Can who will contest “The Cobb” Manawatu Cup Mobile Pace (2500m).

The three-year-old gelding heads into the meeting’s feature in good form, having placed in his last two starts, including a runner-up effort at Manawatu Raceway on Tuesday behind race rival Arabian Blue.

Berger was pleased with the way his charge finished off the race and he is hoping he can go one better on Thursday.

“It was a good run. Ben (Butcher, driver) said he ran home well, the front horse (Arabian Blue) just got away from him a bit,” Berger said.

“He came home well off a fast last quarter, so I am pretty happy with him.”

The son of Always B Miki has drawn two on the second line and Berger expects him to be competitive from that marble.

“You would like to draw in the first four, but he is a more come from behind horse anyway,” Berger said.

“With a bit of luck there will be some pace on and he will get a run through.”

About Turn will also carry Berger’s familiar silks in the Manawatu ITM Mobile Pace (2500m).

Berger thought the six-year-old gelding was luckless on the first day of the meeting and is hoping for some better luck on Thursday.

“He is racing honest,” Berger said.

“He got a trail three back on the fence the other day and it was a quick sprint home. He is more of a grinder, so I was happy enough with his run.”

Berger will also be represented in the Jacko’s Café Mobile Pace (2000m) by Lady La Salle and Barbarossa.