Gary Hall Jnr. Photo by Scott Hamilton Media
Gary Hall Jnr, WA’s leading metropolitan driver for 9 of the past 12 seasons is showing no signs of stopping as the brand-new season rolls on.
Hall could be easily forgiven for having his focus elsewhere due to upcoming Grand Circuit features, he and his little mate Chicago Bull will tackle. However he is still determined to dominate the present WA Harness Racing season.
Despite 120 of his 173 race wins last season at metro level, Hall Jnr expressed different thoughts for the upcoming season. “My Goal for the new season is to get to more meetings and drive for more outside stables”
He has 7 drives in the metropolitan season opener on Friday night. Bravo Tex coming out of gate 6 in Race 1 for Boyanup trainer Justin Prentice has been freshened up since his second on the 17th July at Donaldson Park, Bunbury. Junior says that the gelding is in his words “one paced” but still a chance.
Soho Chelsea from barrier 4 in Race 2 over the 1730m was a last start fourth for trainer Glenn Elliott. Where the gelding showed outstanding gate speed to cross but with a hot tempo weakened late. Hall Jnr feels that the drop back to the short course and the small field can suit the Hopeland based pacer.
Speed Man, looks hard to beat in the third for Hall and stablemate Runrunjimmydunn will appreciate the non-appearance of WA Champion Chicago Bull in the feature of the night, the New Seasons Pace. The 5yo son of American Ideal has bumped into the little bull 5 of his 7 runs since resuming from a spell, the other two were a luckless fifth behind another stable star My Hard Copy and a win in the marathon back in July.
Hall Jnr will also drive rough chances Ideal Investment, Lightning Jolt and Machine Elle and believes they will all need “luck” from their respective draws. He has a big season ahead and it begins on Friday night at Gloucester Park.
