Chicago Bull remains on track

Chicago Bull remains on track for a lucrative campaign to Victoria and New Zealand, following a clinical performance in last night’s (Friday) Group 2 Navy Cup (2130m) at Gloucester Park.

Having his first start since August 31, Chicago Bull showed no ill effects from the short break, cruising to his eighth straight victory.

Reinsman Michael Grantham forecast pre-race he would look be quick off the arm with The Bucket List from barrier two and that proved to be the case, while Chicago Bull’s driver Gary Hall Jnr slowly moved forward from barrier seven.

Within the first 400m, Hall Jnr was able to take the lead with Chicago Bull and got away with a comfortable lead time of 37.9.

The six-year-old then had little trouble in front throughout the run, while second favourite Rock Diamonds had to do it tough in the breeze.

The Bucket List tried desperately over the concluding stages, but couldn’t make any inroads to Chicago Bull’s lead, as WA’s champion pacer scored by 3m.

Veteran pacer Waylade produced an outstanding performance in his first start since December 2016, running on to finish third.

Chicago Bull’s trainer Gary Hall Snr said he felt there was no doubt about his stable star being the best pacer in Australasia and would take plenty of confidence to the east coast.

“Once he got the lead it was all over,” he said.

“The Bucket List ran a credible race.

“It augurs well for his trip to Victoria for the Victoria Cup.

“I don’t think there’s a horse in Australasia going better than him.”

Chicago Bull will line up in the Group 2 Stratton Cup on October 5, prior to his trip to Melbourne for the Victoria Cup on October 13.

Hall Snr then said he would give Chicago Bull one run in New Zealand prior to November’s New Zealand Cup.

Meanwhile, Hall Snr appears to have another serious contender for this year’s Group 1 Golden Nugget in December, following Speed Man’s win in the 2017/18 GP Junior Driver Of The Year M Grantham Pace (2130m).

The pace was clamped right on in the early stages, with Sokys Bigbullet and Speed Man intent on holding the lead from barrier one and two respectively, while Better B Chevron also had a shot for the lead from barrier seven.

As a result, the lead time was a slick 35.3 with Better B Chevron eventually taking the lead, while Speed Man was left to face the breeze.

That was no obstacle though for Speed Man, who wore down Better B Chevron and held off a string of late challenges from Three Kings and Sokys Bigbullet to record an impressive victory.

Hall Jnr said Speed Man’s win was full of merit.

“He’s always had toughness on his side,” he said.

“If anything, the run last week (2nd to Motu Premier) did him the world of good.”

Hall Jnr had two other winners on last night’s program, Soho Chelsea in the 2017/18 GP Trainer Of The Year G Hall Pace (1730m) and Bravo Tex in the GP 2017/18 GP Pacer Of The Year Chicago Bull Pace (2536m).

Trainer Matthew Scott and driver Shannon Suvaljko ended the program in impressive fashion, recording a winning double.

Despite a wide draw, Neighlor was too good in the TABtouch – Better Your Bet Pace (1730m), before the well supported Smackwater Jack took out the Book Your NYE At Gloucester Park Pace (1730m).

Tim Walker