The domination continues!
The champion stables of legendary Perth trainer Gary Hall Snr have claimed their 10th Gr.1 $450,000 TABtouch WA Pacing Cup with My Hard Copy recording back to back victories in the state’s time honoured classic.
My Hard Copy ($4.90), handled by Clint Hall, raced three wide solo over the concluding stages before edging past leader and favourite Devendra ($2.60) while the heavily fancied Beaudiene Boaz ($2.90) finished a close-up third in the 2936m feature.
The victory provides Clint Hall with his third straight Cup success following victories with Hokonui Ben and My Hard Copy last year.
For Hall Snr, My Hard Copy joins Im Themightquinn (2011/12/13) and The Falcon Strike (2002/04/05) as multiple Cup winners while other winners from the stable include Hokonui Ben (2014) and Tealsby Karita (2007).
The all-conquering stable have now claimed the past six editions of the Cup.
Such domination in major harness racing events is not uncommon with the John and Luke McCarthy stable holding a similar record in the Queensland Pacing Championship winning 8 of the past 11 editions of the sunshine state feature while ace Kiwi reinsman Ricky May has claimed the New Zealand Cup on 7 occasions.
Entering tonight’s feature, the Hall stable were loaded with chances having 5 of the 11 starters but the inside draw for Devendra loomed as a potential stumbling block for the star stable.
As expected, Devendra led comfortably from Lovers Delight who pushed forward quickly to race without cover leaving Beaudiene Boaz behind the leader while Run Oneover and My Hard Copy occupied handy positions in the moving line.
With a steady speed being set up front, John Of Arc charged forward from his rearward position to look for a better spot before retreating as quickly as he went forward.
The lead time was covered in 97.5 seconds.
With minimal movement, Devendra and driver James Rattray continued to control the speed while rivals reluctantly sat off him and allowed him to dictate nicely.
The first half of the final mile was covered in 30.9 and 29.6 seconds.
As the field reached the bell lap, My Hard Copy angled wider and quickly moved up and worked the leaders for the first time.
Heading down the back straight, Devendra led narrowly from Lovers Delight while My Hard Copy continued to apply strong pressure.
Boom pacer Beaudiene Boaz and driver Gary Hall Jnr elected to move clear from the back of the leader and forced clear approaching the home turn.
In the straight, Devendra led the way but was being overhauled by My Hard Copy while Beaudiene Boaz was closing out wider.
At the line, My Hard Copy scored by a 1m from Devendra with a further 3m back to Beaudiene Boaz in third.
The last half was covered in 27.3 and 28.2 seconds.
The winning mile rate was 1:57.0 – a new race record since being switched to 2936m three years ago.
“He’s a great little horse who has been absolutely flying during his summer campaign, maybe I’ve been under driving him in recent weeks given how he stuck it out tonight,” a jubilant Clint Hall beamed.
“He travelled so well in the run and felt great coming off the back straight, there’s no doubt he’s in career best form.” He added.
The American Ideal – Readallaboutit six-year-old entire has now pushed his prizemoney tally inside $900,000.
It was his 22nd career victory from 66 lifetime starts.
The next leg of the Australian Pacing Gold Grand Circuit is the Gr.1 $400,000 Victoria Cup at TABCORP Park, Melton on January 30.
