The $200,000 Retravision Golden Nugget

Chicago Bull has developed into an excellent sit-sprinter for champion harness racing trainer Gary Hall sen. and he has the ability to overcome the disadvantage of a wide barrier and win the $200,000 Retravision Golden Nugget Championship over 2536m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The remarkably consistent four-year-old, who has taken no harm from minor abrasions he received when he ran into a water tank at Hall’s Serpentine property the day after he had scored a convincing victory in the McInerney Ford Classic last Friday week,  will start from the No. 8 barrier on the front line.

Gary Hall jun. looks certain to restrain the little Bettor's Delight gelding at the start and will rely on his ability to sprint fast when held up for a late burst.

Hall sen. is looking for his third training success in the Golden Nugget after wins with The Gold Ace in 2011 and Beaudiene Boaz last year. He also drove the Des Parr-trained Valley Champ to victory in the 1993 Golden Nugget.

Hall jun. successfully adopted sit-sprint tactics when Chicago Bull started from barrier six in the McInerney Ford Classic in which the little gelding travelled kindly in tenth position for almost two laps before starting a three-wide run (with cover) approaching the bell. The final three quarters of the 2536m event were covered in 28.4sec., 28.1sec. and 28.9sec. and Chicago Bull rated 1.54.9 to set a track record for a four-year-old over 2536m.

Chicago Bull took the lead 250m from home and won by one and a half lengths from the fast-finishing Vanquished, who had enjoyed a perfect run three back on the pegs.

Vanquished, one of three runners from the all-conquering stables of leading trainers Greg and Skye Bond, has drawn ideally at barrier two and should enjoy a favourable run throughout. The other Bond runners are Mister Daytona (a winner at ten of his 13 starts) at barrier one and the highly-promising Galactic Star at barrier No. 5.

There is a strong possibility that the Michael Brennan-trained Nathans Courage will reveal his customary early sparkling speed from barrier three to get to an early lead for Michael Grantham.

Nathans Courage led from the No. 1 barrier for the first 250m before taking the trail behind hot favourite Mr Mojito in the 2130m Four-Year-Old Championship last Friday night. He ran home gamely to finish second, a length behind Mr Mojito.

Ace New Zealand trainer-reinsman Mark Purdon faces a tougher task this week with the comparatively inexperienced but extremely talented Mr Mojito, who will start out wide from the No. 7 barrier.

The Justin Prentice-trained Natural Disaster (barrier six) is in excellent form. He finished powerfully from 11th at the bell to finish third behind Chicago Bull in the McInerney Ford Classic. That followed his stylish all-the-way victory over Vanquished and Ideal Tyson the previous week.

Another runner with sound claims is the Kim Prentice-trained Soho Tribeca, who will start from barrier four. Soho Tribeca had a torrid run and covered a lot of extra ground when a close fifth in the McInerney Classic. He also covered a lot of extra ground before winning from Cut For An Ace a week earlier.

The $200,000 Retravision Golden Nugget

1 – Mister Daytona NZ by American Ideal

2 – Vanquished NZ by Bettor's Delight

3 – Nathans Courage by Courage Under Fire

4 – Soho Tribeca by American Ideal

5 – Galactic Star NZ by Bettor's Delight

6 – Natural Disaster by Shadow Play

7 – Mister Mojito NZ by Real Desire

8 – Chicago Bull NZ by Bettor's Delight

9 – Franco Rayner NZ by Live Or Die

…………………………………………………….

10 – Johnny Disco by Jereme's Jet

11 – Harry Hoo NZ by Bettor's Delight

12 – Ideal Tyson by American Ideal

13 – Sprinter NZ (EM 1) by Mach Three

14 – Motu Gatecrasher NZ (EM 2) by Changeover

Ken Casellas