Another win for Im Themightyquinn
Trainer Gary Hall is going ahead with Queensland plans for Im Themightyquinn though the star only narrowly won last night's Clipsal Powerhouse Pace (2536m) at Gloucester Park.
Hot favourite Im Themightyquinn ($1.10) got up in final strides to beat stablemate My Hard Copy ($7.10) by a half- head and Lord Lombo ($39.40) was 3.3m back in third place.
"He produced a good performance to wear down a horse who has big potential," Hall said. "Quinnie's scheduled to fly out on Thursday.
"It's been confirmed he'll make his Brisbane debut in the Sunshine Sprint on July 5. Two weeks later, he'll start in the Blacks A Fake Championship."
Im Themightyquinn is expected to wrap up his Queensland campaign in the Redcliffe Cup on August 1.
My Hard Copy, a winner at his previous two starts, took the lead early in last night's race.
Im Themightyquinn, who settled last in the eight-horse field, launched a three-wide run at the bell. He moved up to challenge My Hard Copy at the 200m and gave supporters heartflutters before claiming the pacemaker.
"My Hard Copy enjoyed some easy sections, as indicated by his 1:58.5 overall mile rate," Hall said. "He had plenty in reserve when Quinnie came at him.
"I'm confident Quinnie can account for top opposition in Queensland."
Jungle Genie ($5.50), driven by Colin Brown, finished strongly to win last night's $30,000 Four-Year-Old Mares' Pace (2130m) after a controversial incident at the 400m.
The Clive Dalton-trained pacemaker Loving You ($10.50) hung out and allowed an inside run for her stablemate Miss Atomic ($2.10 favourite), who had been third on the pegs.
Miss Atomic dashed through to lead, but was overpowered near the finish.
Jungle Genie, co-trained by Greg and Skye Bond, rated 1:57.2 in winning by a head from Miss Atomic and
Bettor Dreams ($21.40) was 6m back in third place.
Racing and Wagering WA chief trotting steward Carl Coady said Loving You would be ordered back to trials.
"The stewards' film shows Loving You was hanging for a long way before she shifted out sharply at the 400 metre post," Coady said. "Loving You must trial satisfactorily before racing again."
Heez Orl Black ($1.90) brilliantly rated 1:53.6 when he set the pace and won last night's Clipsal Saturn Pace (1730m) from a mobile start.
Livingontheinterest holds the 1730m mobile start track record with a 1:53.1 rate set last year.
