By Adam Hamilton
REST time is over and it’s back to racing for leading New Zealand Cup contender Chicago Bull.
The prince of West Australian pacing returns from a three-week break and will dominate the betting despite a wide draw (gate seven) in Friday night’s $50,000 Group 2 Navy Cup (2130m) at Gloucester Park.
It’s his second-last run in his home state before heading across Australia and to NZ to chase a couple of the sport’s biggest races.
First is the Group 1 Victoria Cup at Melton on October 13 then comes the Group 1 NZ Cup at Addington on November 13.
“He’s got this race and another her in a fortnight then it’s over to Melbourne,” trainer Gary Hall Sr said.
“He really just had a quiet week after his run and then we wound him up. He’s working as well as ever.
“I really believe he’s come back better than when he ran second in the Inter Dominion last campaign. I’ve never had him racing better, that’s for sure.”
Hall Sr confirmed Auckland officials had told him of a scheduled 2200m standing-start on October 26 which would ideally suit Chicago Bull’s NZ Cup plans.
“It’d be great to give him a standing-start ahead of the Cup and they tell me the Auckland race will have a maximum backmark of 20m. Horses like Jacks Legend and Mach Shard will be in it,” he said.
“That would in beautifully 13 days after the Victoria Cup and two and bit weeks before the NZ Cup.”
Hall Sr said is more excited than nervous about taking Chicago Bull outside his home state for the first time in his care.
“Because we’ve had the Inter Dominion here and he’s run second in it, he’s shown he’s up with the very best,” he said.
“I can’t wait to get him to Melbourne. I think he’s the best horse going around at the moment.
“And you know how much I love the NZ Cup. I’ve got so much faith in this horse, I know he’ll run a great race.”
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