Inexperienced three-year-old Chok Chai, a brilliant winner over 1730m in fast time on Tuesday of last week, will not be troubled by a big increase in distance to 2536m when he contests the Prince Smallgoods Free Range Bacon Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night, according to harness racing driver Gary Hall jun.
Hall declared Chok Chai a good thing and punters should get away to a flying start by supporting him to win the opening race of the ten-event program.
Hall had no hesitation in opting to drive Chok Chai (who has had five starts for three wins and two seconds) ahead of his more seasoned stablemate Harry Hoo, who has raced 22 times for five wins and six second placings. Hall drove Harry Hoo to a stylish all-the-way win at a 1.57 rate over 2130m on Tuesday of last week.
Hall’s elder brother Clint will drive Harry Hoo, who will start out wide at barrier eight on the front line on Friday night. Chok Chai and Harry Hoo are prepared by leading trainer Gary Hall sen.
“Jumping up from 1730m to 2536m should pose no problem for Chok Chai and he should just win,” said Gary Hall jun. “He’s got good gate speed and is tough. He’s a little bit immature at home and does some silly things. But when he comes to the races he just puts it all together. This might be his last run before going for a spell.
“His latest run was really good, rating 1.54 after working in the breeze. He did it pretty comfortably and he’s learning all the time and getting better. Harry Hoo is going very well in weaker company. But I don’t think he is in the same class as Chok Chai. If the draws were reversed on Friday night I would still drive Chok Chai.”
Pinjarra trainer Gary Elson will be represented by promising three-year-olds Estocada and Scoobys Delight and the Stephen Reed-trained James Coburn has sound place prospects after a win and three seconds at his latest four runs.
Estocada will be having his first run for five months and is favourably drawn at barrier two on the front line. He will be handled by Nathan Turvey. He dashed over the final 400m in 27.7sec. when he won a three-horse trial at Pinjarra last Sunday week.
The consistent Scoobys Delight will be driven by Aiden de Campo, but he faces a stern test from the No. 7 barrier on the front line.
Ken Casellas