The return to harness racing by My Hard Copy ($1,046,422) after a beneficial spell will be a highlight of the ten-event program at Gloucester Park on Friday night. But the millionaire pacer and dual WA Pacing Cup winner could well lower his colours to his race-hardened stablemate Run Oneover, according to champion trainer Gary Hall sen.
Clint Hall had the choice of drives and he opted for My Hard Copy, who will start from the outside (barrier three) on the back line of the 2130m Remote Foods Australia Pace. Run Oneover will be driven by Gary Hall jun. from the prized No. 1 barrier.
“The Changeover gelding is a good frontrunner and it will take a pretty good horse to beat him,” declared Hall jun.
Hall sen. agreed, saying: “I think, given the draws, you would have to favour Run Oneover. I lean towards him; his recent form has been outstanding. Beaudiene Boaz also was outstanding, winning first-up last week. And Run Oneover was nearly as good, sitting outside of him and finishing second.”
Run Oneover, an up-and-coming four-year-old, has struck a purple patch with his seven runs in this campaign producing four wins and three seconds.
Hall sen. said that Beaudiene Boaz would be his No. 1 contender in the interdominion championship series at Gloucester Park in November and December.
“In my opinion Beaudiene Boaz should be favourite for the Inters ahead of Lenntheshark and his stablemate Hectorjayjay,” he said. “I think that both of them will have a lot of trouble in beating Beaudiene Boaz around Gloucester Park, particularly if the barrier draw goes our way. I’m not frightened of Hectorjayjay, but I’m a little bit frightened of Lennytheshark.”
My Hard Copy will be making his first appearance since finishing fourth behind Have Faith In Me in the Miracle Mile at Menangle on February 28. At his two previous starts he finished third behind Smolda and Ohoka Punter in the Hunter Cup at Melton and third to Monifieth and Bling It On in the Cordina Sprint at Menangle.
Five starts ago, on January 15, My Hard Copy unwound a typical whirlwind finish to beat Devenda and Beaudiene Boaz in the 2936m WA Pacing Cup at Gloucester Park.
“I’d say, first-up, that Clint will rely on My Hard Copy’s sit-sprint ability,” said Hall sen.
The Hall camp holds a very strong hand in Friday night’s race and the stable has bright prospects of filling the first four placings — with Run Oneover, My Hard Copy, Cyamach and Waylade.
Waylade, a last-start winner, will be driven by Kim Prentice from the favourable No. 2 barrier and Lauren Jones will drive Cyamach from barrier six on the front line. Cyamach was most impressive last Friday night when he finished powerfully from eighth at the bell to be third behind Beaudiene Boaz and Run Oneover last Friday night.
Stablemate Classic American, who finished ninth in that race, will leave Perth on Monday to do his future racing in the United States. He has been purchased by the American owner who bought the Hall-trained Machtu, who recorded his second American victory at Yonkers last Friday. Another former Hall pacer Northview Punter finished second in another race on the Yonkers program.
My Hard Copy warmed up for Friday night’s assignment with a runaway win in a 2550m standing-start trial at Byford on Sunday morning. Driven by Clint Hall, My Hard Copy won the trial by 16 lengths. He dashed over the final two quarters in 28.7sec. and 27.7sec.
“Clint said he went great,” said Hall sen.
Ken Casellas