Differing fortunes in Australia have been experienced by two of Southland’s best harness racing horses this season.
Whilst two year old You’re So Fine triailed today at Byford in West Australia Ragazzo Mach has yet to arrive at his new home at Mike Reed’s.
Reed said the Mach Three colt arrived in Australia after running fourth in the Harness Jewels. He spent two weeks in Melbourne before heading to Sydney were he’s still on an agistment farm, Covid restrictions have been the reason for the holdup.
“Hopefully he’ll fly out to Perth some time this week. We were going to spell him anyway and give him six weeks off. He’s had two weeks spelling in Melbourne, two weeks in Sydney and we’ll just give him another two weeks here,” said Reed, adding that the horse will be set for the Victorian Derby later in the year, with the Breeders Crown also a possibility.
“I keep in contact with the people looking after him. They say he’s looking a picture and is galloping around and really enjoying himself.”
Meanwhile You’re So Fine has settled into his new home at Gary Hall’s Perth stables.
“I saw him at the Jewels. I like him as a type. He’s a nice size with a good nature. He’s the perfect gentleman,” Hall said.
Commenting on the colt’s trial at Byford today he said “He trialled pretty good leading into our Golden Slipper at Gloucester Park this Friday night. I just wanted to test his gate speed. He went out and lead by about three lengths. He came back to Gary (Gary Hall junior – driver) and relaxed. He wasn’t breaking the clock but I liked the way he finished off. He was a length in front at the top of the straight and won by five to six lengths easing down.”
The Slipper will be run over 2100 metres.
“There are some nice two year olds here and barrier draws will be important but at the moment, pre-post, he’s a $1.85 favourite. He’s a stayer and not one of those fast two year olds. I want to get this race out of the way because it worries me how fast the two year olds go. I’d rather have him out and let him develop.”
Hall said the horse will be spelled after the Slipper.
“I’ll bring him back in for the Derby next year. I’m not a big fan of two year old racing. I’ve won a fair few two year old races but I prefer to look after them.”
Hall has won the Golden Slipper previously, his first being in 1986 driving Love Of Glory.
“I hope history will repeat itself” said Hall, referring to having won the race with Beaudiene Boaz.
Hall says the progeny of Always B Miki, the sire of You’re So Fine, are starting to show potential in Australia.
“He’s fully booked over here with 150 mares. I wanted to send a couple of mares to him but can’t get in.”
Meanwhile Hall says he’s a bit perplexed with the form of his stable’s star Chicago Bull and is currently spelling him.
“He didn’t come back that well, I don’t know why. He looked very big in condition and had a couple of hard runs early and didn’t seem to have the same enthusiasm as he did in his previous campaigns. I’m hopeful I can get him back to something like his best. He might be like me, getting too old.”
Hall has had plenty of success with New Zealand bred horses, buying his first, Abit Rich in 1996 from John Vincent. Abit Rich had won seven races for Vincent anhe went on to win another seven for Hall. He ran third in the Group One Freemantle Cup in 1996.
“Since then I’ve bought a lot of New Zealand horses like Falcon Strike and I’m Themightyquinn. All the good ones I’ve had have been New Zealanders.”
by Bruce Stewart