Fake Is Big Oaks News
13 April, 2019
Harness
Just one week after winning the WA Derby, trainer Gary Hall Snr has quickly turned his attention to taking out the next Group 1 in WA, the WA Oaks.
Hall Snr looks well placed to add the Oaks to last week’s Derby win, after Fake News led home a stable quinella in last night’s Oaks Prelude (2130m) at Gloucester Park.
Balcatherine was well fancied to take out the lead up to next month’s feature, in what was her first start in Australia for the champion trainer.
However, it was the less fancied stablemate that upstaged her last night.
After she endured a tough run behind Dracarys in last week’s Prelude, Fake News came with a well-timed run from the rear of the field for reinsman Stuart McDonald to score her seventh win from 16 starts.
Balcatherine, who started from barrier 10, settled behind race leader Majorpride and struggled to get clear running until the home turn.
When Balcatherine did get clear running she ran on strongly for second, just a head short of her stablemate, while Majorpride was third.
McDonald said he wasn’t expecting the Alta Christiano filly to beat the stablemate, but was pleased to score the victory.
“I was very surprised by her,” McDonald told RWWA Harness.
“Last week was not her go being in the breeze, but I didn’t expect her to bounce back and go that good.
“She got the right run on the night and she was good enough to take advantage of it.”
McDonald said the filly would be more than competitive in the WA Oaks on May 3.
Campora and Ideal One formed the other two legs of a winning treble on the evening for Hall Snr.
Meanwhile, reinsman Mark Reed has scored an impressive winning double on the evening, headlined by Kiwi Legend in the Vale John Stampalia Free-For-All (1730m).
The seven-year-old, who started at $41, showed tremendous gate speed to find the front with ease and put himself in the race.
Caviar Star settled outside Kiwi Legend, but couldn’t overcome him in the home straight, as the Stephen Reed-trained gelding held on by a half-neck.
Mark Reed said Kiwi Legend, who spent more than 18 months on the sidelines with injury, was starting to rediscover his best form.
“Hopefully he is on the way up, because the real Kiwi Legend is all class,” he said.
“Steve’s taken his time and he had a few problems with his bumpers.
“I think he’s starting to iron all of them out.
“He’s a real nice horse when he’s right.”
Our Angel Of Harlem made a successful return in last night’s fillies and mares event, upstaging a quality field in doing so.
Reed drove the Mach Three mare conservatively from barrier six, before she stormed over the top to score an impressive half-head win over Rosie’s Ideal.
In-form reinsman Gary Hall Jnr also scored a winning double on the night with Ideal One and Warfare.
The Justin Prentice-trained Warfare maintained his unbeaten record since coming to Perth earlier this year.
Tim Walker
Image: Scott Hamilton