Most equine champions have a haughty appearance and an almost supercilious arrogance but Western Australia’s pacing superstar Chicago Bull certainly does not fit that mould.
He is a plain chunky little bay with a short neck and short legs. He has a pleasing placid temperament and never appears to be ruffled or agitated. His only distinguishing feature is his white stocking on his off hind leg.
Now a rising six-year-old and at the peak of his powers, Chicago Bull derives his great strength from his well-muscled chest and hindquarters. A wonderful heart obviously provides him with his tremendous speed and endurance.
He has won at each of his past six starts, including his five runs since resuming from a spell and he is poised to improve on his magnificent record by winning the Nexus Health and Wellness Expo Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Chicago Bull has certainly come a long way under the expert care of master trainer Gary Hall Snr since he was purchased for $122,000 (landed in WA) in June 2015. He had then had seven starts as a two-year-old in New Zealand for two wins over 1609m at the Central Southland Raceway in Winton (north of Invercargill) when he sprinted home fast from last in small fields of eight and five runners.
Chicago Bull, who is being set for the Victoria Cup, New Zealand Cup, Inter Dominion championship at Melton and the WA Pacing Cup and Fremantle Cup over the next five months, has been a revelation in WA where he has amassed $1,578,504 in prizemoney from 34 wins, six seconds and eight thirds from 49 starts.
His only unplaced effort was his fourth behind 45/1 outsider Jambiani, Run Oneover and Simply Susational in the 2130m Howard Porter Memorial at Gloucester Park in September last year when he was racing first-up after a two-month absence.
He will start from barrier four on Friday night and Gary Hall Jnr is sure to dictate the terms of the race, either in front or in the breeze, leaving stablemate Runrunjimmydunn, The Bucket List and others to fight out the minor placings.