23 May 2019 | Tim Walker
Ever since King Of Swing produced a sizzling final quarter of 26.8 last Saturday, instantly the attention turned to whether he could replicate that in Free-For-All company.
This Friday night the 2018 WA Derby winner will get the ultimate examination of his fast class credentials when he lines up in the Members Sprint (1730m) against a stellar field, headlined by Chicago Bull.
Following last Saturday’s win, reinsman Gary Hall Jnr said he would have to think carefully about who he drove of the two should King Of Swing draw inside Chicago Bull, albeit he has stuck with Chicago Bull this week.
While the task looks difficult for King Of Swing to beat Chicago Bull this Friday night, given the pair have drawn barrier six and four respectively, it feels like we will get a good reading on where King Of Swing sits in the FFA ranks.
King Of Swing’s last two wins came off the back of a slightly underwhelming fourth to Mighty Santana on May 3, leaving questions on just how good the four-year-old was if he couldn’t lead.
Hall Jnr said King Of Swing’s effort last week suggested he was ready to take the step up to FFA company.
“It was outstanding,” Hall Jnr told GPTV.
“It’s a concern he can do that, but coming from behind he can leave a bit to be desired.
“If he went like that outside him, he would make him (Chicago Bull) stretch his neck for sure.
“I couldn’t see him ever beating him with the scenario of Bully being in front of him.
“With King Of Swing leading, it would be a different story, it could be pretty close I’d say, but I’d probably still drive Bull.”
Chicago Bull made a stylish return to racing on May 3 and will be out to keep his 13 race unbeaten streak at Gloucester Park going.
It will be the first time the Bettors Delight gelding has raced over the sprint journey since the 2017 Village Kid Sprint, when he was third to Bettors Fire.
The six-year-old will again be a long odds on prospect this Friday night and Hall Jnr said he was confident of another commanding performance.
“He’s working along well at home,” he said.
“We know where we have to have him now.
“He’s underdone, but over the mile, drawn where he’s drawn you’d expect him to get to the front and he should be too good.
“He’s not unbeatable, I don’t think he’s got to that level yet.”
Trainer Gary Hall Snr appears to have the Members Sprint well in his keeping, with Whozideawasthis, Campora and Caviar Star also in the field.
By virtue of drawing barrier one, Whozideawasthis shapes up as the main danger to Chicago Bull.
Stuart McDonald has the drive on Whozideawasthis, while Lauren Jones, Micheal Ferguson and Kim Prentice will team up with Campora, Caviar Star and King Of Swing respectively.
The Bucket List appears the best winning hope of the non-Hall Snr runners, having drawn barrier four.
Luis Alberto bounced back to winning form last weekend, but is likely to have a difficult task from barrier seven, while Im Soxy and Im Full Of Excuses have their work cut out from barrier eight and nine respectively.
Hall Snr and Hall Jnr will be looking to start the night in good form when they team up with the unlucky Speed Man in the Adelaide Plasterboard Centre Pace (2536m).
Speed Man finished second to Caviar Star last week, but with the advantage of barrier one and a slightly easier field on paper, he looks well placed to score his first win this campaign.
“He looks awfully hard to beat from the draw,” Hall Jnr said.
“He’s racing really well and should get the win on the board.”
Hall Snr and Hall Jnr will also team up with Mad Robber and One Off Delight on the 10 race card.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
