Leading WA harness racing driver Gary Hall Jnr has copped a one-month suspension for unacceptable driving in a standing-start event on Fremantle Cup night.

 

Hall Jnr drove superstar four-year-old Beaudiene Boaz to victory in the Group 1 Fremantle Cup (2536m) at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

 

Earlier in the night however, he would partner the Matthew Scott-trained eight-year-old gelding Bartowski in a Discretionary Handicap (2503m).

 

Hall Jnr tried to take the lead off Callan Suvaljko who drove Bettors Ace in the event with the pair matching motors for more than 400m at the beginning of the event. 

 

Suvaljko showed his intent to hold the lead while Hall Jnr drove Bartowski “like a man possessed,” according to race caller Richy Bell. 

 

Bettors Ace ran through a lead time of 66.2 seconds, which was 0.6 seconds quicker than the Fremantle Cup which is run from the mobile.

 

Chief harness racing steward Carl Coady stated that Hall Jnr persisted for too long at the start of the event, but would be right to drive Beaudiene Boaz in Friday night’s Group 1 WA Pacing Cup (2936m).

“Suspended reinspersons can fulfil engagements for up to nine days after suspensions. Gary Hall will begin his suspension at midnight on Friday, after driving in the WA Pacing Cup.”

Trainer Gary Hall Snr prepared the quinella in the Fremantle Cup after Beaudiene Boaz defeated My Hard Copy by 1.5m in a mile rate of 1:55.9. 

 

Hall Snr had six of the 12 runners in the event and five of the six are expected to start this week with Classic American in doubt after running 11th.

“They head my WA Pacing Cup entries,” Hall Snr told Seven West Media.

“I’ll also nominate Run Oneover, John Of Arc and Waylade.

“Our other Cup hope Classic American is in doubt. He disappointed when he was near-last in the Fremantle Cup.”

Jason Rulz could also be under the microscope when the handicapper assesses the WA Pacing Cup nominations after running last in the Fremantle Cup.