Gidday from WA

West Australian harness racing trainer Gary Hall senior likes what he sees in two New Zealand bred pacers he has in his stable, and he hopes they’ll run in the West Australian Derby later in the year.

Mister Smartee (Always B Miki) previously trained by Craig and Aimee Edmonds had just two starts in New Zealand, the last being on Cup Day at Addington when he won the Cup Day Maiden running the 1980 metres in a New Zealand record for two year olds of 2-19.2 (1-53.1 mile rate).

“He’s just jogging at the moment. He had a break in New Zealand and we gave him a break here. He’ll have a few runs and then get ready for the W A Derby. He seems a nice type. Tim Williams told Stuey McDonald (Hall’s stable driver) that he’s better than The Black Flash and I’m hoping he’s just as good,” Hall said.

The Black Flash (Bettor’s Delight) had two starts in New Zealand for Branxholme trainer Nathan Williamson, finishing fourth to Don’t Stop Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) in the Kindergarten Stakes and second behind the same horse in the Diamond Creek Farm Two Year Old Classic.

“He’s racing on Friday night. He came over and won and went really well. Then he drew barrier twelve in the Golden Slipper. The travel and the first up run knocked him round a bit, and we rushed him a bit to get ready for that race which wasn’t ideal. He should have gone for a spell. He ran fifth and it still wasn’t a bad run, but it wasn’t what I expected from him.”

Although he’s not big in stature, Hall likes what he sees.

“He’s a wee bit bigger than Chicago Bull but I think he’s real good. The WA Derby in November is his main aim too. We’ll give him a few runs now, give him a wee break, then come back for the Derby. I was a bit worried about his ability when he first came over. Nathan (Williamson) said not to worry about his track work and that he’d jump out of the ground when he goes to the races and that’s exactly what he did.”

Another former New Zealand horse ready to come back into the stable is You’re So Fine (Always B Miki).

He had three starts in New Zealand which included a win in the Diamond Creek Farm Two Year Old Classic for the MCC Syndicate and Ryal Bush trainer Brett Gray. The syndicate then sold a share in the gelding to West Australian interests, and he was exported to Hall’s stables.

He’s had five starts in WA for two wins, a second, a third and a last start sixth on 17th December 2021 before in bowed a tendon and was sent to the spelling paddock.

“He’s coming back into work on the 1st April. The tendon looks okay. It wasn’t a major one (injury). He needed time and we had him gelded as well,” Hall said. 

Meanwhile Chicago Bull, (Bettor’s Delight) Hall’s New Zealand bred $2,417,890 winner, is enjoying retirement in the back paddock on his property.

“He’s looking like he could go back into work. He went to the beach the other day with a galloper we’ve got in work so he’s enjoying life. He’s probably going to outlast me.”

Bred by Roger, Helen, John and Katrina Price of Winton, the gelding won a massive sixty two races including the Freemantle Cup (twice), WA Cup, WA Derby and Interdominion Final. 

At the recent Perth Yearling Sales, Hall purchased a Bettor’s Delight colt out of the Christian Cullen mare Anna Faye. 

“It was the only Bettor’s Delight at the WA Sale. I wasn’t going to buy one, but I liked the look of him and he reminded me a lot of Chicago Bull. I don’t like buying yearlings. All of my success has been buying horses that are up and going. People say you can’t buy champions but I’ve bought five or six. I’m themightyquinn, Chicago Bull, The Falcon Strike, My Hard Copy and Beaudiene Boaz. He (Beaudiene Boaz) was a top class horse, but he did a back suspensory. He would have gone on and won a couple of million or more. He won one point four million anyway.” 

Hall says he’s currently got twenty eight horses in work.

“I really don’t want that many because I have to have a total knee reconstruction in April, so I’ll be out of action for a while.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink