28 October 2020 | Ken Casellas
Star reinsman Gary Hall Jnr has given punters a good lead by deciding to handle Bolta in preference to Alta Intrigue in the opening event, the 1730m Etch Coatings Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“I have chosen Bolta (trained by Michael Young) because he will start from the No. 1 barrier in the sprint,” Hall explained. Alta Intrigue, trained by Gary Hall Snr, will be driven by Stuart McDonald from the outside of the back line.
“Bolta is quick out and I’ll be trying to lead,” Hall said. “He’s probably good enough to pinch it. Alta Intrigue is racing well and is also capable of winning.”
Hall Jnr also fancies his chances with Whozideawasthis in the Westral Pace, a 2130m event in which he is unfavourably drawn out wide at barrier eight.
“It’s a drop in grade for him,” said Hall. “He could have drawn better, but it probably doesn’t matter with him because he’s probably best when he’s sat up. It’s a race he can definitely win.”
One of the most interesting races on the program looks to be the final event, the 2130m Westside Auto Wholesale Pace for three-year-olds. It is an event in which champion trainer Gary hall snr has three of the seven runners Master Publisher, The Ideal Touch and Copy N Pace.
Hall Jnr will drive The New Zealand-bred The Ideal Touch, who is undefeated at his first four starts in Western Australia but is sure to be fully tested after starting from the outside barrier.
Micheal Ferguson, who has handled The Ideal Touch for three of his four WA wins, will drive Master Publisher, who is favourably drawn at barrier two. Stuart McDonald will drive Copy N Pace from barrier four.
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