Talented pacer American Brave has been a work in progress for champion trainer Gary Hall Snr and the five-year-old is gradually overcoming his tractability problems of pulling hard and overracing.
Following four trials in which he was handled with great care by star reinsman Gary Hall Jnr, the New Zealand-bred five-year-old reappeared after an eight-month absence last Friday night when he impressed with an outstanding second placing behind the pacemaker Braeview Bondi.
His splendid performance is a strong pointer to his winning prospects in the 2130m Westral Vertical Blinds Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
American Brave was not bustled early in last week’s race and he enjoyed a comfortable passage in sixth position in the one-wide line before he finished with a powerful burst, out three wide, to get with a half-length of Braeview Bondi, who rated 1.56.1 over the 2130m. The final quarters whizzed by in 27.3sec. and 27.9sec.
American Brave won at five of his 11 starts in New Zealand and he has been successful at three of his ten starts in Western Australia. If he continues to become more tractable, he looks set to develop into a strong performer in open-class company.
American Brave will start from barrier four in Friday night’s event in which he will clash with in-form pacers Gran Chico and Maras Ace Man.
Gran Chico, to be driven by Mark Reed for his father, Henley Brook trainer Mike Reed, has resumed after a spell in fine style. He had a tough run in the breeze before winning from Roman Aviator two starts ago and then sustained a strong burst from sixth at the bell to finish second to the brilliant To Fast To Serious over 2536m last Friday night. He will start from the No. 6 barrier this week.
Eight-year-old Maras Ace Man continues to impress with his wholehearted efforts for trainer-reinsman Aiden de Campo. He raced three back on the pegs before finishing strongly to win from Thereugo over 2130m three Fridays ago.
The Hall stable looks set for a successful night, with ten runners competing in eight of the 11 events on the program.
