James Brennan Memorial winner Shockwave will miss this Friday’s Navy Cup (2130m) as trainer Ryan Bell looks to manage his stable star on his path to the Pacing Cups later this year.
Shockwave over raced in his first-up triumph last Friday but still held on to beat veteran pacer Chicago Bull by a half-head.
He was nominated for Friday’s $50,000 Navy Cup (2130m) but Bell told TABradio’s One Out One Back he didn’t want to risk giving the four-year-old another arduous run.
“We pulled him out of the race this Friday just because he is so well,” he said.
“We want to keep him like that.
“Just because he’s pulled up well, all it’s going to take is one more hobble run and one more race run under pressure to really flatten him.”
The change in plan will likely see Shockwave line up in the $25,000 Media Guild Cup (2536m) on September 25 to compensate for missing the Navy Cup.
Bell said Shockwave would then back-up a week later in the $50,000 J P Stratton Cup (2130m).
“He does thrive on the hard work,” he said.
“He’ll have a hit out on Saturday and next Wednesday.
“We’ll probably go in the Free-For-All Friday week which will top him off for that last $50,000 race the week after.”
Pinjarra Cup winner Vampiro is expected to run in this Friday’s feature event, his first start since the end of March.
The Greg and Skye Bond-trained pacer finished runner-up in both the WA Pacing Cup and Fremantle Cup earlier this year.
Galactic Star and El Jacko are also expected to line up for the Bond team.
Bletchley Park also makes his much anticipated return to the track, following a short break since his last start second on August 28.
Chicago Bull will also take his place in Friday night’s feature, alongside progressive pacer and stablemate My Carbon Copy.
Speaking on TABradio earlier this week, Gary Hall Jnr said he was satisfied with Chicago Bull’s return to the track in the James Brennan Memorial.
Hall Jnr also said exciting pacer Wildwest would be sent for a spell after his unplaced performance as favourite on Friday night.
“He’s going to the paddock now,” he said.
“He’s had a rotten campaign, lots of things have gone wrong for him.
“We know the ability is there but we just have to work him out here at home.”
