Plans to fly talented pacer Beaudiene Boaz across the country to compete in the Chariots Of Fire were set to be shelved after regular driver Gary Hall Jnr received a four week suspension last Friday night. Harness racing connections were not willing to travel from Perth to Sydney without the superstar’s regular reinsman, however Hall Jnr is set return to the sulky on February 13 – just in time for Australia’s premier four-year-old event.
“It definitely changes things and gives us something to think about with Junior being available but we have to get through the WA Pacing Cup on Friday night first,” Hall Snr said.
“Initially we looked at the calendar and thought he wouldn’t be able to drive in the Chariots and some of the owners were keen to concentrate on the Inter Dominion later this year so the trip was off.”
Hall Jnr received a four-week suspension from WA stewards on Friday night after his drive on Bartowski and intends to drive in this Friday night’s WA Pacing Cup. His suspension will therefore begin at midnight after the meeting.
“I don’t know how good Beaudiene Boaz is, everything I’ve asked him to do he has done and he just keeps winning.
“To beat the older horses in the Fremantle Cup was good but Friday night in the WA Cup will be an even bigger test for him.”
The attraction of the Chariots Of Fire winner gaining an automatic entry into the $750,000 Miracle Mile a fortnight later makes the Sydney trip even more attractive.
“If Beaudiene Boaz goes to Sydney and wins the Chariots Of Fire then the Miracle Mile would be on his agenda but there is so much to happen between now and then.
“Cruz Bromac was very impressive on Saturday night in Melbourne but we beat him in the McInerney Ford and Have Faith In Me has been outstanding in New Zealand and he’s Sydney bound so it just gives us more to think about.”
Greg Hayes