‘Boaz’ too good in $300,000 Fremantle Cup

Beaudiene Boaz has stamped his authority yet again on harness racing at Gloucester Park after emphatically winning the 2016 RETRAVISION Fremantle Cup. The 4yo Gary Hall Snr trained pacer wasn’t gifted the race either, only finding the lead after almost one full circuit from the fast beginning Bettors Fire.

With the $2.30 favourite dictating terms in front, runs came early from the back – My Hard Copy was first to throw his hat in the ring, followed by stablemate Run Oneover who eventually have him cover in the one-out line.

After a lead time of 66.8 and a first half carved out in 59.8 – Gary Hall Jnr let his steed slip home stoutly in 56.0 – 26.8. My Hard Copy flew home in the run to the line and looked the only danger to the winner, ahead of Bettors Fire, who battled on well – and Devendra.

Post race, Gary Hall Snr spruiked plans to take Beaudiene Boaz east to compete in the Chariots of Fire – setting up a potential clash of the titans with Have Faith In Me on Feb 13 in NSW.

It was a sombre mood on-course with a number of scratchings from the program due to devastating bushfires that are currently raging out-of-control in WA’s southwest. The most notable was that of Lovers Delight. Traffic routes from Bunbury to Perth have been compromised leaving trainer Stephen Reed no choice but to stay at home and miss the $300,000 event.

Collie pacer Ti Amo Franco and his Capel based driver Aiden De Campo took a 4.5hr detour to get to Perth – paying dividends, with the pair taking out the second heat of the Nights Of Thunder series.

The fastest nine horses from the three heats have qualified for a $50,000 final to be run on the stellar undercard to the Grand Circuit – Group 1 TABtouch WA Pacing Cup to be run at Gloucester Park on January 15.

by Scott Hamilton