My Hard Copy Cops Awkward Draw In Victoria Cup
28 January, 2016
Harness
A philosophical Gary Hall Snr downplayed My Hard Copy’s barrier draw in the Victoria Cup (2240m) at Melton on Saturday night.
The dual WA Pacing Cup champion rounds out the field in gate 13, but Hall says all is not lost if they go hard early in the Group 1 race.
“It’s pretty disappointing but the Victoria Cup is not really his main aim that we are going over there for,” Hall said on TABradio.
“We think he is a real good standing start horse and the Hunter Cup is where we want to go with him.
“Hopefully there is going to be a speed war with the likes Lennytheshark, Smolda and Mister Mundaka, who is a quick beginner.
“If they do put it on I’m sure My Hard Copy will be competitive.”
Smolda and Lennytheshark, who finished one-two in last Saturday’s Ballarat Cup, have both picked up frontline draws.
The Mark Purdon-trained Smolda has barrier four and Lennytheshark will start outside the front line in barrier seven.
Mister Mundaka, prepared by Andy Gath, has barrier five while Interdominion placegetter, Flaming Flutter will start from pole position.
Hall Snr said My Hard Copy had thrived since taking out his second consecutive WA Pacing Cup at Gloucester Park on January 15.
“I can’t fault him and he trialled fantastically on Sunday,” he said.
“He is just going from strength to strength.
“He has been a bit of a surprise packet really.”
Clinton Hall will partner My Hard Copy, who is closing in on one million dollars in stake earnings.
On the TAB he is rated an $18 chance with Smolda ($2.45) and Lennytheshark ($2.50), fighting it out for favouritism.
Julio Santarelli