King Of Swing To Lead Rivals A Merry Dance
28 September, 2018
Harness
King Of Swing will take centre stage at Gloucester Park for the Gary Hall stable tonight and looks poised to continue his hot winning streak.
The Rocknroll Hanover colt has been in imperious form since taking out the WA Derby in April, justifying his high purchase price from New Zealand.
King Of Swing, drawn in barrier one, is the raging $1.50 TAB favourite to make it six straight wins when he tackles a class rise in the 2018 WA Trotting Media Guild Cup (2536m).
Hall’s son Gary Jr, who will drive King of Swing, says the bay horse faces his strongest test since arriving from New Zealand, but remained confident he was up to the challenge.
The top reinsman said it was his intention for King Of Swing to take full advantage and go to the lead from his coveted inside draw.
“I think if you get it right at the start from one at Gloucester Park it’s pretty hard to get crossed,” Hall Jr told Tabradio.
“He gets out pretty good and is a lot more keener in his races this time in so the start shouldn’t be a concern.
“I don’t think he deserves to be as short as he is and first time in this type of company which will be pretty hard.
“You have to take him on trust a little bit meeting this company for the first time, but you would expect him to win if he leads comfortably.
“There is no denying his class and ability.”
Vampiro ($3.80), Motu Premier ($6.50) and The Bucket List ($7.50) are the other runners in the field of seven that are in single figures.
At $21 is Im Full Of Excuses, the Ross Oliveri-trained gelding has been unplaced in three runs this campaign and last-start ran fifth to Chicago Bull in the Navy Cup (2130m).
But reinsman Chris Voak believes the bay gelding has shown signs of improvement and won’t rule him out of finishing in the placings.
“I think he is on the improve and I think this prep you will see him come back to his best form,” Voak said.
“His run last-start was good and he worked very well during the week.
“He is probably this run and another off recapturing his best form.
“I give him a sneaky place hope and thought his last run was full of merit.
“He came wide and down the line and wasn’t covered up on the pegs.
“He actually made ground and it will be a good race.”
Julio Santarelli