By Adam Hamilton
One of harness racing’s forgotten stars returns to racing on Friday.
Classy Kiwi pacer Ohoka Punter finally steps out for the first time for his new trainer Gary Hall Sr in a free-for-all at Gloucester Park.
It will be his first race since winning the Maryborough Cup on October 3, last year, when trained by Nathan Purdon.
Ohoka Punter was sent to Hall Sr’s soon after to prepare for the Perth Inter Dominion series, but it derailed when he fell ill.
“I was so excited when he got here, he’s a horse I’ve always been a huge fan of,” Hall Sr said. “It was such a shame everything went wrong and we had to scratch him from the Inters.
“We gave him a good break and I’m really happy with the way he’s come back.
“Everything tells me he’s as good as ever and ready to run a big race this Friday.”
Ohoka Punter’s presence on Friday night adds to an already big night for the stable.
They will have three runners in the WA Derby: Herrick Roosevelt, El Barcelona and Runrunjimmydunn.
“I’d have thought Herrick Roosevelt was our best hope, but Runrunjimmydunn was very impressive winning last Friday,” Hall Sr said. “Junior (Gary Hall, Jr) will drive Herrick Roosevelt, while Clint will be on Runrunjimmydunn.”
Ohoka Punter’s return adds to the fantastic depth in Hall Sr’s open-class ranks.
Chicago Bull, winner of the big Fremantle and WA Cup double, has recovered from a nasty abscess in his eye and has just returned to the stable.
“We feared he was going to lose the eye at one stage, but he’s fine now and has full sight in it,” Hall Sr said. “He’s just starting to get back in work now, so he’s three months away from racing.”
Beadiene Boaz, Run Oneover and My Hard Copy are a lot more advanced.
“They are all five or six weeks away,” Hall Sr said. “It’s exciting to have My Hard Copy back as well. He seems really sound.”
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