by Greg Gangle, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — This time last year, Carl Jamieson, trainer of pacing star Warrawee Needy, was preparing a top sophomore colt for the C$1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup, the richest race on the continent for 3-year-old pacers.

When Up The Credit crossed the wire first in the premier pacing event in 1:49.3 for Jamieson, the months of preparation no doubt paid off with that memorable score.

Driven by Jamieson’s son, Jody, Up The Credit earned $1,137,292 last season, along with a 1:49 lifetime best. He capped off his season with an O’Brien Award as Canada’s 3-year-old colt of the year.

Now, one year later, Jamieson is doing it all over again, but this time with top Ontario Sires Stakes standout Warrawee Needy.

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Warrawee Needy banked $536,950 as a freshman.

The son of E Dee’s Cam was a 2-year-old sensation last season and dominated the provincial program with a 9-1-1 record in 12 appearances, as well as $536,950 in the bank. He also broke the OSS record with his 1:49.4 lifetime best.

Jamieson, who currently conditions 13 horses in Florida, noted his pacer is preparing well for the coming months.

“We are all systems go,” Jamieson said. “He’s trained in 2:00 and he’ll likely qualify around May 1. I’m coming back to Ontario on April 23 and he’ll be coming with me. He will qualify at Mohawk probably twice.”

Although Warrawee Needy was a good-sized 2-year-old, Jamieson noticed some changes in the bay.

“He was a bigger 2-year-old than most, but he’s grown a bit more, too. He’s filled-out and developed very nicely. We had to let his hopples out again, too. Now, I believe, he’s around 61 inches.”

There is one attribute of Warrawee Needy Jamieson is glad hasn’t changed.

“He’s still got the same attitude and mentality that he’s always had, which is great to see,” he said. “He’s a pleasure to work around in the barn and he’s all business on the track. He acts like a true professional and just loves his work.”

For the coming weeks, Jamieson has mapped out his plan in hopes of reaching the wire first in the 2012 edition of the Pepsi North America Cup.

“The Upper Canada Cup will be his first race, most likely,” Jamieson said. “I don’t think I’ll get an overnight race into him before that. Next, will be the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes then the ‘Cup.’”

Jamieson co-owns the C$20,000 yearling purchase along with Floyd Marshall, Thomas Kyron and breeder, Dr. Michael Wilson.