“He’s versatile; he’s tough and he’s fast and I think he can win.” That was star reinsman Gary Hall junior’s verdict when assessing Rub of the Green’s prospects in the $23,000 Congratulations Chris Lewis — 5000 Career Wins Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Hall gave punters a vital lead when he opted to handle the Michael Brennan-trained Rub of the Green ahead of smart performer Cyamach, who is trained by his father Gary Hall sen. and looks hard to beat after drawing the coveted No. 1 barrier on the front line.
Cyamach was driven by Hall jun. when he was an all-the way winner of the Interdominion Consolation three starts ago. He will be replaced in the sulky this week by his elder brother Clint.
Hall jun. has driven Rub of the Green at his past 11 starts for eight wins, one second, one third and one fourth placing. The five-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding is favourably drawn at barrier two on the front line.
“It’s hard to get off a horse like Rub of the Green, the way he is going at the moment,” Hall said. “However, I consider that Cyamach will be the one to beat.
Rub of the Green maintained his grand form at Gloucester Park last Friday week when he gave a strong frontrunning performance to score an easy win over Ideal Tyson and Livura in the 2130m Christmas Gift, rating 1.55.7 over 2130m. That took is record in Western Australia to 24 starts for 16 wins and five placings.
Hall sen. Said that Cyamach would take plenty of beating on Friday night. “I expect him to lead, and that’s half the battle at Gloucester Park,” he said.
“I’m a little bit disappointed that he did not get a start in the Fremantle Cup. I thought he would have earned a spot after winning the Interdominion Consolation. But getting a start in these big races is always line-ball. The handicapper is not always right and he’s not always wrong.
“He left My Hard Copy out of the Fremantle Cup two years ago, and My Hard Copy won the Fremantle Cup Consolation and then went on to win the Pacing Cup. It’s a pretty hard job to be a handicapper.”
Hall jun. drove This Time Dylan when he surged home from the rear to win a 2503m stand last Friday week. The 11-year-old, a stablemate of Rub of the Green, will start from barrier three on Friday night with Justin Prentice in the sulky.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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