By Adam Hamilton
THE forgotten star of Australasian open-class racing Ohoka Punter returns to racing on Friday night.
And he’s drawn to run a heck of a race.
Now with Gary Hall Sr in Perth, Ohoka Punter has gate two in a very strong $50,000 Mount Eden Sprint (1730m) at Gloucester Park.
It is Ohoka Punter’s first start since a third at Gloucester Park on May 19.
And it’s only his fifth start in the past year because of niggling injuries, including the most recent quarter-crack.
But Hall Sr is thrilled with Ohoka Punter’s progress and tipping a bold showing despite the calibre of opposition.
Key rivals are headed by his glamour stablemate Chicago Bull, the lone back row runner, along with Soho Tribeca (three), My Hard Copy (one) and Shandale (four).
“I think he’s going better than he ever has since he came to me a year ago,” Hall Sr said. “I was never completely happy with him last time in work.
“If he leads, I think he’ll be very, very hard to beat, He’s forward enough to win it.
“I actually can’t believe he’s drifted so much in Inter Dominion markets. I still think he’s right there as one of the main contenders.”
Hall Sr’s focus will be split between Ohoka Punter, Chicago Bull and to a lesser extent the headstrong and enigmatic Run Oneover.
“If Ohoka Punter found the front, he’d be the one to beat. If not, Chicago Bull would be,” he said.
“I can’t believe the criticism around Chicago Bull’s run last time. He made three runs. It’s not Inter Dominion time yet, he’s not full wound-up.
“I think that run has improved him. His work says so. The record around my track in 1min56.3sec by Im Themightyquinn and Chicago Bull went close at 1min57sec this week.
“If he gets a good trail through and the pace is on … look out.”
My Hard Copy, now trained at Chris and Debbie Lewis’ property by Hall Sr’s son, Clinton, must be considered from the pole.
And Soho Tribeca and Shandale are the emerging local Inter Dominion forces.
Shandale won a stirring slugfest over Soho Tribeca and Chicago Bull two weeks back, but the draws present a harder challenge this week.
“Put it this way, we’re going to know a heck of a lot more about the pecking order for the locals going towards the Inter Dominion after this Friday’s race,” Hall Sr said.
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