09 September 2020 | Tim Walker
Friday night’s Group 2 James Brennan Memorial (2536m) is set to give harness racing fans a taste of what’s to come later on this year, with three of the state’s most exciting pacers to do battle.
Chicago Bull, Shockwave and Galactic Star will all line up in the $50,000 feature, as they eye off the riches of the Fremantle Cup and WA Pacing Cup on November 20 and December 4 respectively.
Shockwave booked his spot in the race with an impressive trial at Byford on Sunday in 1.56.8 and has the draw advantage over his rivals in barrier six.
Aiden De Campo teams up with the Ryan Bell-trained four-year-old once more, having steered him to victory in last year’s Golden Nugget.
Chicago Bull, who won the Brennan Memorial in 2017, has had almost one month off since his last start win in the August Cup on August 14.
He missed last summer’s Cup races due to injury but has won at 11 of 16 starts since he returned to racing, including his past six.
The son of Bettors Delight will start from barrier seven as he looks to defeat Shockwave for the first time.
The Gary Hall Snr-trained pacer finished behind Shockwave in April’s Memorial Day Pace, which was taken out by the Greg and Skye Bond-trained Ocean Ridge.
The powerful Bond stable got their stable veteran Galactic Star back on the winner’s list for the first time in 13 starts on August 21.
He then made it two wins in a row in last week’s York Cup at Gloucester Park.
The gelding will have to overcome barrier eight if he’s to deliver the Bond stable a third straight win in the Group 2 event.
Greg Bond said it would be tough for Galactic Star to overcome the draw but was looking forward to the clash.
“It’s great to see the good horses back,” he said.
“Shockwave’s trial was great and we know Chicago Bull has plenty of ability so we are looking forward to the challenge.
“The barrier draw has made it a great race because if Chicago Bull or Shockwave drew barrier one they would be hard to beat.
“They’ve all drawn wide which will make it a competitive and tactical race.”
The James Brennan Memorial gets underway at 7.17 on Friday night.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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