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WA Pacing Cup Power Rankings: Week 2

Posted on | Posted by Tim Walker

1. Chicago Bull
Previous Ranking: 3rd 
Last Start: September 18, Navy Cup (1st) 

The little champion jumps to top spot on the rankings this week and it’s going to take something special from those below him to displace him before the Pacing Cup. Trainer Gary Hall Snr said it was his best win since October 2018 in New Zealand and it’s hard to argue against that. He sat outside Galactic Star in the Navy Cup and rated 1.53.7 to score by 10m. He made a mess of a highly talented field on Friday night. It would probably need Shockwave or Mighty Conqueror to breeze outside of Bully to see him slip down the rankings. The Bull is on the charge. 

2. Shockwave
Previous Ranking: 1st 
Last Start: September 11, James Brennan Memorial (1st) 

He hasn’t done anything wrong to drop from the top spot, it was simply Chicago Bull couldn’t be ignored. If we are to look for one last knock on Chicago Bull it is the fact he’s yet to beat Shockwave. He’s expected to line up in the Media Guild Cup this week and it will be important to see if he settles a bit better than he did first-up. A big fortnight coming up for Shockwave. 

3. Mighty Conqueror
Previous Ranking: 2nd 
Last Start: January 17, WA Pacing Cup (1st) 

He makes his much anticipated return in this week’s Media Guild Cup and it won’t be easy if he has to face the race-fit Chicago Bull and Shockwave first-up. Much like Shockwave, he hasn’t done anything wrong to drop a spot. If he comes back anywhere near the form he showed in last year’s Cup he’s going to get every chance to charge back up the list. 

4. Lochinvar Art
Previous Ranking: 4th 
Last Start: September 19, Vincent Standing @ Alabar Pace (2nd)   

Still no clearer as to whether he will get here to Perth but as long as David Moran is forthright with his intention to get here he will occupy a spot in the rankings. He was super again on Saturday night behind Hurricane Harley. He worked to the breeze and then tucked in behind Hurricane Harley on the turn for home. He was probably entitled to finish further back than 1.5m given the circumstances. He’s ticking over nicely.  

5. Vampiro 
Previous Ranking: 5th  
Last Start: September 19, Navy Cup (4th) 

This was a nice return on Friday. He wasn’t used off the arm first-up. Followed Bletchley Park into the race and hit the line nicely for fourth. We know the ace up his sleeve is that gate speed and if he draws a similar barrier in one of the Cups that speed will hold him in good stead. If you’ve had an all in investment on this fellow you wouldn’t be disappointed after his first-up effort. 

6. Bletchley Park
Previous Ranking: 6th  
Last Start: September 18, Navy Cup (2nd) 

If there were any doubts about this pacer’s ability to compete in Free-For-All company prior to Friday night, they are now well and truly out the window. He sustained a run three-wide for much of the bell lap and was game in finishing second to Chicago Bull. You could make the case he deserves to be up one spot above Vampiro but he did have a slight race fitness edge, given he ran three weeks earlier. He will occupy a spot here for much of the build up to the Pacing Cup.  

Honourable Mentions: My Carbon Copy is going to play a lot bigger part than I thought he would at this level after his third on Friday night.

El Jacko was quite the run in the Navy Cup as well and he could be one to keep an eye on.

Eloquent Mach and The Bird Dance both won on Friday night and they look like they will get their chance in to make a bit of a splash in FFA company over the coming weeks. 

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