By Adam Hamilton
THE Perth Inter Dominion is a still almost three months away, but the countdown seriously starts for champion trainer Gary Hall Sr at Glouceter Park next Friday night.
Hall Sr has nominated eight horses for the Perth series and four of his top six chances will race at Gloucester Park next Friday.
His top seed – and the early favourite for the series – Chicago Bull will headline the meeting.
“I’ve nominated him a few times lately, but he’s ready and will definitely going around next Friday,” Hall Sr said.
“I’ll also have Run Oneover backing-up in the race after his good win last Friday and Beaudiene Boaz will run as well.”
On the same card, recent stable addition Chase The Dream will make his debut for Hall Sr.
“I like him, a lot,” he said. “He’s eligible for a support race, a C5 race, so that’s where I’ll run him.
“I’m keen to get a bit of racing into him. The way he’s working, I think he’ll need a bit of racing around Gloucester Park to get comfortable on the (tight) track.”
Waiting in the wings is another star former Kiwi pacer, Ohoka Punter.
“He’s ready to go as well. I could’ve run him this week, but I’m keen to keep he and Chicago Bull apart … at least for now. I want Gary (Hall, Jr) to drive them both as long as he can,” Hall Sr said.
“Ohoka Punter seems really well. He had the quarter-crack, but he’s right back to where I want him now and we’ve got time on our side.
“If there’s a query with him, it’s that pure point-to-point speed. Has he got enough to win from different spots in the field against the very best? Or will he need to lead in those top races?
“It’s a huge weekend for me. I’ll either be clicking my heels or licking my wounds next Saturday.”
Chicago Bull’s return will be the major focus.
That’s because Hall Sr is seriously considering a Melbourne raid for the rescheduled $200,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup at Melton on October 14.
“It was a 50/50 chance, but now with that sad news about Hectorjayjay, I think I should take him across,” Hall Sr said. “I’ll make a firm decision after he’s had a couple of runs back.
“I know they’ve cut the stakemoney, but it’s a Group 1 race and Lazarus and Hectorjayjay won’t be there.”
In other stable news, Hall Sr said young former Kiwi horseman Stuart McDonald was now a key part of his stable.
“He’s not just a great help on the training front, but he’s a talented driver and you’ll see him start to get a lot more drives for me … starting with one of those I have in the free-for-all next week,” Hall Sr said.
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