3 minute read
The WA Derby may still be more than four months away, but tomorrow night’s Beau Rivage @Gloucester Park Pace (2536m) has assembled a field with Group 1 qualities.
Even with Never Ending, Lusaka and Im The Black Flash missing from the event, it's set to be an intriguing affair between some of the state's best three-year-olds.
Importantly, it will be a chance for each of the eight runners to test themselves over the longer trip for the first time.
Trainer Gary Hall Snr has four of the eight runners in the event, which also features Group 1 performers Skylord, Fess Up and Crowd Control.
Mister Smartee heads up Hall Snr's assault on the race, with the talented import to jump from barrier one.
The son of Always B Miki made a winning debut at Pinjarra last Monday and Hall Snr said he expected he would continue his winning ways tomorrow night.
"He can be a bit of a handful and sometimes he's his own worst enemy," Hall Snr told The Trots WA.
"He should lead tomorrow.
"I'd be disappointed if he didn't win, and I certainly can't see anything beating him on ability."
Hall Snr said it was a fine balance now between racing Mister Smartee to educate him and also giving him enough time off before the WA Derby.
Franco Mecca, Hes Never Been Beta and Star Lavra round out Hall Snr's team in the event.
Like Hes Never Been Beta, Crowd Control will also be having his second start this week, following his third placing to Velocipede at Pinjarra on Monday.
The Kim Prentice-trained pacer won second-up at Wagin earlier this month, prior to placing at his two subsequent runs.
The gelding has drawn barrier two tomorrow night and could present a danger to Mister Smartee.
Prentice said he hoped Crowd Control could figure in the top three again tomorrow night.
"It's a very good race, but I'm confident the 2500 will suit him," he said.
"Hopefully he's good enough to be competitive.
"He will probably have another one or two runs and then go for a break."
The three-year-old event opens tomorrow night's card at Gloucester Park at 5.42.
