D Mac on track for Derby as Hall Jnr bags five for the night

One of the West’s leading harness racing two year olds of last season D Mac (Downbytheseaside) enhanced his prospects for this year’s West Australian Pacers Derby with a comfortable all the way win in the Ule Hoof Oil three year old at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The $200,000 Group 1 feature will be staged at Perth headquarters on 31 October.

The win was part of an unforgettable night for Gary Hall Jnr as he drove five winners on the night.

D Mac was one of four runners for trainer Gary Hall Snr and he was confidently backed into a short priced favourite. Gary Hall Jnr elected to drive D Mac while Stuart McDonald was on board Im Stealthy who a fortnight previous had beaten De Mac who had a hard run as he was forced to race outside the leader.

D MAC 14 AUG REPLAY

But last night D Mac had no trouble speeding to the front while Im Stealthy was last early but out three wide with a lap left to travel.

After the race Hall Jnr stated that an unexpected jolt in D Mac had him thinking.

He threw a new one in there tonight. He just pulled up stumps at about the 350 mark, I don’t know what happened. Like the engine just got turned  and we had to kick start it again. But I think he was going alright to the line. I pulled the plugs shortly after that happened he just shut right off on me.  He was cruising along nice down the back and just hit that last bend. And he just stalled but he was probably a bit stirred up after  the delay and things like that. He’s just got to get some racing into him basically.

Hall indicated that D Mac still had a bit left.

He’s always had a pretty good motor like that he always finds when anything comes to him or when you really ask him. I think there’s still another gear there.

Hall’s other winners on the night were the ex Queenslander Luvbite (Betting Line) in the Marathon and the seven year old gelding has found another gear while in the West. Since arriving in early April, Luvbite has won eight of his 16 appearances.

Hall was also successful on Scooter B (Bettors Delight), Atlas The Titan (Lazarus) and finally with his highly promising two year old Off Shore (Downbytheseaside) who after winning at Cambridge in New Zealand could not have been more impressive at his Australian debut.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink