Youngberg Leaves Ipswich Paved In Gold

DES Youngberg turns 85 in August but the Jimboomba trainer had a spring in his step at Ipswich on Tuesday after landing a winner with Paved In Gold.

"I'm as fit as a fiddle," said Des after the win.

Paved In Gold (Dashing Corsair-Boxing Roo Girl) is one of two littermates, the other is True Luck, Des owns and trains at his five-acre property from where he has trained many, many winners for decade after decade.

Paved In Gold ran 25.38 to win the 431m 5th grade beating Shian Ying and Tipsy Four. It was her fourth win in 17 starts.

Des still drives himself about but these days relies on his daughter Michelle to handle his dogs on course.

"I usually get my neighbour Peter Rose to help me go galloping the dogs," said Des. "But, I still walk both the bitches every morning for 45 minutes.

"That walking every day has kept me fit."

Des loves the progeny of former staying great Dashing Corsair and had great success with Abby Corsair who won nine races at Albion Park for him.

"I saw this litter advertised for $1500 each and the mother had won 10 races so I jumped at the chance to buy these two bitches,” said Des.

"The other bitch, True Luck, was in trouble early in a final yesterday as well.

"We got them reared, then Steve Keep did his usual fabulous job of breaking them in and gave them a good report."

Des says he has proof of his fitness even though he is rising 85.

"When we arrived at the track on Tuesday, health authorities were there to check us all out," he said. "I passed with flying colours."