Champion trainer Gary Hall sen. described Cyamach’s second to El Machine in last week’s RWWA Cup as “phenomenal” and he advised punters to “stick with him” when he contests the $25,000 Governor’s Cup over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Cyamach raced four wide early and then outside the pacemaker Leda McNally before getting to the front 260m from home and then being swamped by outsider El Machine, who had enjoyed a perfect sit three back on the pegs.
The New Zealand-bred six-year-old also worked hard and covered extra ground when second on the two previous Friday nights. He has been a model of consistency and his 13 starts this season have produced six wins, four seconds, one third and a fifth and sixth placing. He leads the GPHR Pacer of the Year award with 62 points, well clear of stablemates Beaudiene Boaz (46), Ideal Alice (42) and Mohegan Sun (40).
“I have been planning to spell him, but he’s going that well that I have just kept racing him,” Hall said. “After this week’s run I’ll start him in the $50,000 Pinjarra Cup on Monday week and then I’ll probably give him a break.”
Cyamach will again be driven by Kim Prentice, who will also drive several other excellent each-way prospects, including The Odd Lover, Avalon Bromac, Armed Force, Thats Rite, Soho Wall Street and Guns With Cows.
Cyamach is likely to vie for favouritism with Elegant Christian, who will start out wide at No. 7 in a field of eight, with Chris Lewis in the sulky. Lewis gave punters a good lead when he opted to drive the Clive Dalton-trained Elegant Christian in preference to Chief Thundercloud and Lisharry.
Stuart McDonald will handle the Ross Olivieri-trained Chief Thundercloud, who will be fancied from the No. 1 barrier, and Nathan Turvey will drive Lisharry from barrier No. 4. Lisharry had no luck when badly blocked for a clear run in the final circuit when seventh behind El Machine last week.
Elegant Christian returned to top form last Friday week when he dashed to the lead after 400m, set a brisk pace and won decisively from Cyamach and Lisharry at a 1.53.9 rate over 2130m.
Chief Thundercloud made light of a 20m handicap last Friday week when he settled at the rear and then charged forward to take up the running 1500m from home before winning from Assassinator over 2503m.
His past nine starts have been in stands, but Olivieri said that the eight-year-old was ready to produce the goods in a mobile. “He’ be in the firing line and is a definite chance,” Olivieri said.
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