Cyclone Jordy dominates Perth Group One

Effortless is the best way to describe Cyclone Jordy’s (Art Major) brilliant harness racing victory in the A$150,000 Group One Golden Slipper (2130m) at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The NZB Standardbred became a trans-Tasman Group One winner when powering away from his rivals to win for trainer Gary Hall Snr and driver Gary Hall Jnr.

Cyclone Jordy was having just his second start in Australia after running electric sectionals to win his debut after his sale to Perth owners while giving Hall his third win in the Golden Slipper.

“He (Cyclone Jordy) is such a professional two-year-old. He is the best mannered and probably the best driving horse in our stable, let alone two-year-olds.

“I think that’s a reason why he is as good as he is, and he has got such a good turn of foot. He went 28.1sec. and 27.8sec. (over the final 400m sections) and I didn’t move on him.”

CYCLONE JORDY REPLAY

The talented son of Art Major was purchased by Frank Cooney for $70,000 when he was offered among the Hollis & Robertson Equine Services draft at the 2023 National Yearling Sale at Auckland.

The pacer was then sold to major clients of the Gary Hall Snr stable following his outstanding win for New Zealand trainer Tate Hopkins in the Group One Breckon Farms Young Guns Cardigan Bay Stakes (2200m) at Alexandra Park earlier this year.

Naturally, given the immense talent the horse had shown in New Zealand, Cyclone Jordy didn’t come cheap.

“There are couple of ways of looking at it, they paid the big money for him but these guys put a lot into the game,” Gary Hall Jnr said.

“And I am still a firm believer that good horses bring people to the race and this guy is certainly one of those.”

Fellow NZB Standardbred graduate Captainshavtime (NZ) (Captain Crunch) went a big race for third in her first attempt at the elite level.

The brilliant filly took on colts in geldings in the feature and had to work harder than any of her rivals when sitting parked outside the hot favourite.

Also trained by Gary Hall Snr, NZB Standardbred graduate in Mister Smartee (NZ) (Always B Miki) impressed at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Hall continues to enthuse over the great potential of Mister Smartee, who is developing into a major contender for the $450,000 WA Pacing Cup on November 8.

“He’s the best horse here. He had a hard run tonight, and last week he gave a sensational performance to win,” said Hall.

After contesting the 2536m Pacing Cup the New Zealand-bred Mister Smartee will be aimed at the $200,000 Golden Nugget over 2536m on December 13, as well as other feature events for four-year-olds. Mister Smartee now has earned $173,406 from his eleven victories.

From NZB Standardbred