Harness racing punters who supported Norvic Nightowl into favouritism at 6/4 in the Marathon Handicap last Friday night should have a good chance of recouping their losses by supporting the five-year-old in the third heat of the Westral Schrader Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night, according to champion trainer Gary Hall sen.
Hall said that Norvic Nightowl would have no difficulty in contesting the 2130m mobile event after starting off 20m in the 3309m Marathon.
“His run last week was enormous and I have no problems about him dropping him back from a stand to a much shorter mobile event,” he said. “The back line draw is the only worry, but he should go close. He’s nominated for the Inters, but I don’t know yet whether he’s an interdominion horse.”
Norvic Nightowl surged forward to take the lead after a lap in the Marathon, but he then had to withstand a persistent challenge from Shardons Rocket for the next two laps. He led until the final couple of strides before going down by a head to the strong-finishing Chief Thundercloud.
Norvic Nightowl had made most of the running to win easily in stands at Northam and Pinjarra at his two previous outings, his first runs in Australia.
Gary Hall jun. gave punters a good lead when he chose to drive Nordic Nightowl in preference to Soho Lennon, who will have many admirers from barrier five on the front line. Soho Lennon maintained his splendid form when he started from the outside barrier (No. 9) over 2536m last Friday night and raced in last position before sustaining a spirited finishing burst to be fourth behind Im A Peregrine.
This followed an all-the-way victory and two strong-finishing seconds by Soho Lennon at his three previous starts.
Also expected to be strongly supported is Phoenix Warrior, who has recorded easy victories over 2536m at Gloucester Park and over 2530m at Kellerberrin at his past two starts. “He’s got a bit of depth about him and he broke the track record at Kellerberrin on Sunday,” enthused co-trainer Skye Bond.
by Ken Casellas