Ominous run by Elegant Christian
New Zealand-bred Elegant Christian scored a brilliant frontrunning win at Gloucester Park tonight and reinsman Clinton Hall predicted a repeat result in next Friday's $200,000 WA Derby (2536m).
Hall's father Gary landed a training trifecta in tonight's $50,000 Tabtouch Western Gateway Pace (2130m) when Elegant Christian ($1.30) scored from his stablemates Classic American and Eyre Crusher.
Classic American ($54.80) finished within 2m of the winner, who rated 1:56.1, and Eyre Crusher ($14.40) was a further 1.5m back.
"I think it'll be a smiliar result in the Derby," Clinton Hall said. "Elegant Christian is a terrific horse. In the back straight the final time, I wasn't sure what we had left.
"But the two on the outside were then beaten. Elegant Christian gave plenty in the run home."
The Hall stable experienced racing's highs and lows when Melbourne import Mister Sheedy was found to have a fractured pedal bone after he won the TAB Funding The Industry Pace (2130m) at his WA debut.
"We're very disappointed," Gary Hall Sr said. "I hope Mister Sheedy can make a comeback next year. He's a very impressive horse."
Mister Sheedy ($1.70), driven by Lauren Jones, scored by a neck from Rojen Cruz ($23.60) and Anvils Big Punt ($13.70) was a close third.
Sydney plans for the Hall-trained Alta Christiano have been dropped despite his convincing win in the Make Smoking History The Johnson Qualifying Heat (1) over 2130m.
Hall had planned to set Alta Christiano for the $100,000 Len Smith Mile (1609m) at Menangle in three weeks.
"He'll stick with local racing for the time being," Hall said. "Alta Christiano is a big, heavy horse who's taking time to get fully fit. He's still underdone and I don't want to take him to Sydney unless he's spot on.
"At this stage, my main concern is to keep him sound."
Alta Chritstiano ($1.20) won by 12m from Mantoman ($50.80) and Firebomb ($25.50) was a further 5m back in third place.
The Hall-trained Soho Valencia ($1.60) got up to win by a nose from Franco Torres ($9.30) in the Princi Butchers Pace (2130m).
"I always thought we could get there," Soho Valencia's driver Clinton Hall said.
