Outstanding harness racing four-year-old Beaudiene Boaz is on a steep learning curve and he faces a stern test when he starts from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line in the $23,000 TABtouch Interdominion final on Friday December 9 Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night, according to champion reinsman Gary Hall jun.
A comparative novice in open-class ranks, Beaudiene Boaz is expected to start a warm favourite despite his surprise failure when sixth at 2/1 on behind Our Jimmy Johnstone over 2536m last Friday night.
Hall is not fazed or unduly concerned at the loss, considering the horse was having his second start after a six-month absence. Beaudiene Boaz started from barrier nine last week and Hall restrained him to the rear.
Beaudiene Boaz raced in last position before starting a three-wide move approaching the bell. He fought on gamely out wide to finish sixth behind Our Jimmy Johnstone.
“Over the line he was stuffed,” Hall said. ”The winner went just over a second outside the track record and Beaudiene Boaz came from last. Getting ready for the Inters, he needs runs like that — and lots of them. He can do it and run those times when he’s up there (in front or close to the lead).
“But he’s got to learn; he’s got to have those runs to get ready for the Inters. He’s just not used to having to do that (coming from behind). He’s been used to being up there and running those times. He’s not used to being off the track, and it’s a different ball game.
“But I’m not too worried. I well remember The Falcon Strike as a four-year-old. He’s a horse who I liken his racing style to that of Beaudiene Boaz. At his first run in a genuine Free-For-All he was three wide at the 1200m. They ran a super quick time and he dropped out and ran fourth (behind Another Party in January 2002).
“The following week The Falcon Strike won the Fremantle Cup (by five lengths from Big Town Walton) and a week later he won the WA Pacing Cup (from Lombo Rapida). So it’s just a matter of a horse getting used to it (coming from behind and racing in top company).”
Trainer Gary Hall sen. holds a strong hand in Friday night’s race, with five of the 12 runners — Beaudiene Boaz, Run Oneover, Cyamach, My Hard Copy and Waylade.
All five are capable of fighting out the finish in a race in which they will be tested by Our Jimmy Johnstone, who caused an upset last Friday night when he started from barrier two on the back line and raced in sixth position before starting a three-wide burst approaching the bell. Our Jimmy Johnstone surged to the front 320m from home and won from the fast-finishing Mighty Flying Thomas and Im Riddick.
Our Jimmy Johnstone has struck top form for leading trainers Greg and Skye Bond and reinsman Ryan Warwick and most pundits consider that the seven-year-old will begin speedily from barrier five and dash to an early lead, with the in-form Run Oneover (Clint Hall) expected to go forward in the first lap in a bid to race in the breeze.
Ken Casellas