Chicago Bull’s driver Gary Hall Jnr forecasted improvement in the six-year-old ahead of last night’s Group 2 J.P. Stratton Cup (2130m) and, sure enough, he delivered one of his best performances yet this campaign.
The returning Talktomeurmattjesty made Chicago Bull work for the lead in the early stages of the $50,000 event.
Hall Jnr initially took a sit behind Talktomeurmattjesty, before he made his move to the front on the turn out of the home straight the first time.
Despite having to run a slick 37.0 lead time to eventually find the front, Chicago Bull never looked in any danger of being beaten throughout the run and went on to win by 8m.
Talktomeurmattjesty and Argyle Red finished second and third respectively.
Chicago Bull flies out for Victoria on Wednesday, before his first run on the east coast in the Victoria Cup next Saturday.
Owner Glen Moore said he wasn’t concerned by the early speed Chicago Bull had to use to find the front.
“It worked out very well for us early,” he said.
“We had the plan that Junior was going to be aggressive early because we had the gut feeling the one horse (Talktomeurmattjesty) may hand over.
“Junior had to work around the bird cage bend a bit, but then he relaxed nicely.”
Moore said he was confident Chicago Bull was ready for his first trip to the east coast and indicated there could be even more improvement left in the gelding.
“We’re really happy with him,” he said.
“We’ve left a bit of improvement in him because we haven’t been doing too much at home.
“His coast is still a little dull, so we think he is on the way up.
“They have to prove themselves when they travel.
“We’re comfortable with the fact that we think he will travel alright.”
Chicago Bull completed a winning treble on the night for the Gary Hall Snr and Jnr combination, after Overboard Again and King Of Swing saluted earlier in the night.
The news wasn’t as good for the Hall’s other short price favourite on the night Speed Man, who had little luck in the Perth Plasterboard Centre Pace (2536m).
Last season’s leading driver Shannon Suvaljko also enjoyed a double at the meeting with Shes Turbo Charged and Always Arjay.
Tim Walker