Trots

WA Pacing Cup Power Rankings: Week 3

Posted on | Posted by Tim Walker

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

He holds at one. Granted, Shockwave was impressive and put forward a compelling case to return to the top spot. The rivalry that could develop between ‘Bully’ and Shockwave over the next three months is so exciting. The next instalment will be this Friday night in the Stratton Cup and if it’s anything like the Brennan Memorial it will be unmissable.

2. Shockwave
Previous Ranking: 2nd
Last Start: September 25, Media Guild Cup (1st) 

Did as he pleased in Friday night’s Media Guild Cup and sizzled home in 54.7. He’s clearly on track and Ryan Bell said he will continue to get better with racing. Looks perfectly poised to renew his rivalry with Chicago Bull this week. Would be fascinating to see how he goes if he was to draw outside of Chicago Bull this week. He’s come back bigger and better and is going to take some beating.

3. Lochinvar Art
Previous Ranking: 4th 
Last Start: September 26, Melton Free For All (2nd)   

Had to make the move to elevate him up the rankings off the back of his win on Saturday night. It was simply outstanding. Worked to the breeze and then had the New Zealand Cup winner Cruz Bromac beaten before the turn. Admittedly Cruz Bromac was first-up but Lochinvar Art still surged home in 26.8. It will be interesting to see how he handles the racing at Gloucester Park but if he had a lead up run or two here and performed well, we could see the main prize heading back east. This Victorian is the real deal.

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

Slight setback and missed the Media Guild Cup last week. Only a minor hiccup in terms of the preparation as a whole but the fact we haven’t seen him means he’s slipped another spot. He’s still right there in the conversation and all indications are he’s set for a big campaign. Hopefully we will get the chance to see him next week and put his best foot forward.

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

Nominated for the Stratton Cup this Friday night. As always, he will be the first horse we look for when the fields are released. If he draws slightly better than the seven he got first-up, then we could see him surging out of the gates to the lead and being a big danger to Chicago Bull and Shockwave. Really keen to see him this week.

6. Bletchley Park
Previous Ranking: 6th  
Last Start: September 25, Media Guild Cup (6th) 

Holding with Bletchley Park at six. There was always the possibility of him finishing where he did on Friday. He had to go first to put the pressure on Shockwave and it left him vulnerable late. He’s clearly a better horse saved up for one run late and that still makes him a dangerous player come Cup time.

Honourable Mentions: Always An Honour made a terrific return to racing on Friday night beating Patrickthepiranha and Golden State. Well driven by Gary Hall Jnr and scored convincingly. Hard to knock a Justin Prentice-trained runner as well. He looks a horse that can keep going onwards and upwards from here.

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