D Mac’s Group 1 Golden Slipper at just his third start

Leading driver Gary Hall Jnr made the right choice when he guided promising colt D Mac (Downbytheseaside) to am impressive harness racing win in the Group 1 Channel 7 $150,000 Golden Slipper Stakes at Gloucester Park on Friday evening.

Hall Jnr had previously taken all before him with the Justin Prentice trained Ideal Beach but the barrier draw was the main factor with D Mac drawing three and Ideal Beach in four.  Hall Jnr correctly reckoned that he would be able to lead and that is exactly how the race turned out.

The former New Zealander D Mac as expected found the lead with Ideal Beach caught outside the leader. But as the field settled down Aiden De Campo allowed his smart colt Bettor Move Matty to go outside the leader. This gave Ideal Beach a one out and one back trail with Wake Up Geoff behind the leader.

I’m Stealthy was at the rear of the field but he made a run three wide at the bell with El Mystero trying to follow.

D MAC SEP 26 REPLAY

D Mac had run his second quarter in 30.5 seconds and Hall Jnr let him run along for the next quarter in 27.3 seconds. Bettor Move Matty refused to give in and was battling away and Ideal Beach was boxed in trying to obtain a clear run.

But D Mac simply sprinted away again on turning for home and he looked very comfortable defeating Wake Up Geoff by just under six metres who narrowly edged out Bettor Move Matty. Ideal Beach was still looking for a run down the home straight. The winner’s mile rate was 1.56.7.

Formerly trained and driven by Southland trainer Brad Morris D Mac is out of the Washington VC mare Flashonbye which started nine times for Morris for two seconds and two thirds

D Mac had looked most impressive winning the Golden Slipper prelude two weeks back and prior to that his only run was a runner up at Winton in April. The colt was then sold to Greg Richardson for Gary Hall Snr to train.

The Golden Slipper is the last of the two year old classics in the West and D Mac has certainly made a strong impression in just three starts.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink