Hall shaping his next ‘Pacing Cups’ horse

Champion harness racing trainer Gary Hall Snr feels Prince Of Pleasure (Bettor’s Delight) has what it takes to win January’s TABtouch-WA Pacing Cup, as the pacer eyes of his eighth straight win at Gloucester Park on Friday night (Nov. 25).

Prince Of Pleasure was an emphatic winner at his most recent start on November 11, his first Friday night assignment at Gloucester Park.

The five-year-old will start from barrier 12 in this week’s Westral Meshlock Security, None Stronger Pace (1730m), where he’s expected to be hard to beat again.

Hall Snr said he was confident Prince Of Pleasure would show his class, despite the tricky draw.

“I wanted to start him last week, but Junior had Armed Reactor in and he would’ve needed permission to drive him,” Hall Snr told The Trots WA.

“I think it’ll do him good to have two weeks between runs.

“Nothing can beat him on ability.

“I’d like him to follow Faster Than Dad through, but Junior might have other ideas.”

Should Prince Of Pleasure win on Friday night, Hall Snr has designs on trying to get to the Fremantle and WA Pacing Cups early in the New Year.

The gelding could get his first test of Free-For-All racing as soon as the $50,000 Village Kid Sprint on December 9.

Hall Snr it had been a battle to keep Prince Of Pleasure fit throughout his career and that was a big factor in trying to get him to the upcoming feature races.

“If nothing goes wrong I think he can get to the Pacing Cups,” he said.

“He’s the best horse I have in the stable ability wise.

“At the moment he’s all good and doesn’t seem to have a problem.

“I’m really happy with him.”

Meanwhile, Hall Snr will be hoping Diego can continue his good form in tomorrow night’s Westral Shadetrack Outdoor Blinds Pace (2130m).

Diego hit the line powerfully to finish fourth behind Hampton Banner last week and Hall Snr said he was confident the talented pacer would justify his $2.05 TABtouch favouritism.

“I think he will win this week,” he said.

“I thought he was outstanding last week.

“I think he would’ve won if he was in the breeze.

“I think he will breeze on Friday night and win.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Tim Walker, for RWWA