Harper predicts bright future for Pinjarra winner
Driver Kyle Harper is confident stylish Pinjarra winner Sheez Our Hope has plenty more wins in store after she scored by 40.3m in the Chaff City Lucerne Pace (2185m) at Pinjarra yesterday.
The five-year-old, having just her second race start, settled at the tail of the field before she surged to the lead at the 600m mark and went tore away from her rivals.
The Alta Christiano mare had her only other start to date at the same track and distance last September, which resulted in a lot closer win.
Harper, who had his first drive on Sheez Our Hope yesterday, said he took a lot of confidence from how positively she was driven on debut by trainer Michael Cornwall.
“I watched him drive her first-up and he sat in the breeze in weaker company but it was a nice strong effort,” he said.
“I didn’t expect her to put them away the way she did yesterday.
“She was super impressive.
“I think she’s got a bright future ahead of her and looking at her condition and talking to Michael he said whatever she does she will improve on.
“Exciting times ahead for me as a driver and for him as a trainer.”
Meanwhile, Silent Major made an impressive WA debut in the Chaff City Poultry Mix Pace (2185m) for Gary Hall Snr.
The Art Major four-year-old, who finished fourth in the three-year-old colts and geldings Vicbred Final on New Year’s Eve, wore down tearaway leader Millwood Gucci over the closing stages to score by 3.8m.
Silent Major couldn’t fly to Perth so Hall Snr said the only way he could get here was by truck, which he felt slightly compromised his preparation.
It’s expected Silent Major, who Hall Snr described as a “serious horse”, will be set for the Group 1 4YO Classic and Golden Nugget on January 29 and February 12 respectively.
Gary Hall Jnr drove Silent Major to victory yesterday, which was the last leg of a winning treble on the day.
Stamford, a full brother to 4YO Championship winner Magnificent Storm, scored his first win in the Chaff City Wheaten Pace (1684m) earlier on the Pinjarra program.
Tim Walker