Runner by Runner: WA Pacing Cup

Posted on January 25, 2023November 8, 2023 | Posted by Trent Cooper

Photo: Hamilton Content Creators

1. Diego

Trainer: Gary Hall Snr
Driver: Gary Hall Jnr

Won three of his last four starts leading into the Fremantle Cup and the race looked to be his when he found the front but he was slightly disappointing when only finishing 3rd. He gets the perfect draw and should lead or settle just behind the speed and is a winning chance under either scenario.

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2. Minstrel

Trainer: Greg & Skye Bond
Driver: Ryan Warwick

Hasn’t won for almost a year but he produced the run of the race in the Fremantle Cup when he worked to the breeze and was only nabbed by Mighty Ronaldo near the line. He draws a nice barrier here and should fight out the finish.

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3. Jumpingjackmac

Trainer: Gary Hall Snr
Driver: Stuart McDonald

Ran a solid 2nd in the Golden Nugget in sizzling time and had to do all the work in the last lap in the Fremantle Cup and he battled on well for 7th. He draws better in this race and is a roughie with a winning chance if the breaks go his way.

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4. Magnificent Storm

Trainer: Ray Williams
Driver: Aldo Cortopassi

Was considered the state’s best pacer but his last two efforts have been disappointing. He has battled wide draws on those occasions and can bounce back if he can make the most of his better barrier here.

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5. Sangue Reale

Trainer: Chris Voak
Driver: Chris Voak

Has forced his way into the field with three consecutive victories in easier company and deserves his spot after running on well to win in 1.53.0 here last week. He will need some luck to figure in the finish but can’t be completely overlooked.

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6. Lavra Joe

Trainer: Ray Jones
Driver: Chris Lewis

Exciting 5YO who won the 4YO Championship and then didn’t have any luck in the other two Classics for his age group. He started favourite in the Fremantle Cup but broke after the start before disappointing here last week and it will take a drastic turnaround to feature in the finish here.

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7. Himself

Trainer: Greg & Skye Bond
Driver: Dylan Egerton-Green

Was an upset winner of the Golden Nugget in blistering time and then led throughout at his first start against open company. He performed well when finishing 4th in the Fremantle Cup from this draw and shouldn’t be far away again.

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8. Hampton Banner

Trainer: Debra Lewis
Driver: Jocelyn Young

Looks unlikely to figure in the finish over this distance but he does have gate speed and it wouldn’t surprise to see him make a dash for the lead in the early stages.

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9. Wildwest

Trainer: Gary Hall Snr
Driver: Kyle Harper

Last year’s WA Pacing Cup winner who has been racing below his best and it would be a shock to see him figure in the placings here.

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10. Mighty Ronaldo

Trainer: Justin Prentice
Driver: Emily Suvaljko

He looked backed to his best with a fast-finishing 3rd to Diego in a lead-up race and franked that form with a narrow but impressive win in the Fremantle Cup when he was well driven. He is drawn to get a lovely run on the pegs and will be hard to hold out if he sees daylight at the right time.

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11. Patronus Star

Trainer: Greg & Skye Bond
Driver: Deni Roberts

Sit and sprint specialist who is likely to go to the pegs here and is dangerous in any race he contests if he gets the luck that his racing style needs.

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12. Mighty Conqueror

Trainer: Greg & Skye Bond
Driver: Colin Brown

Former WA Pacing Cup winner who had been out of form but he scored an impressive win from the breeze in easier company to gain a start here. The draw and rise in class makes it tough but he is suited by the staying trip and can play a part.

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13. Vultan Tin (1st Emg)

Trainer: Daniel Costello
Driver: Mitchell Miller

Oldtimer whose best days are behind him and he has finished towards the rear in his three starts back from a spell. He would need a good barrier and plenty of luck to be in the money.

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14. Vampiro (2nd Emg)

Trainer: Greg & Skye Bond
Driver: Colin Brown

Experienced campaigner who has improved at each of his three starts this time in and was the run of the race when 4th to Sangue Reale at his last start. He has blistering gate speed and can play a part if he does come into the race from a decent draw.

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SELECTION: MINSTREL

Looked back to his best when a strong 2nd in the Fremantle Cup after working to the breeze and he is suited by the extra 400 metres of this event. He doesn’t have to be involved in the early speed battle but has the strength to be put into the race at the right time and he should fight out the finish.

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