It’s a case of mixed emotions for Hall of Fame reinsman Gary Hall Jnr going into tomorrow night’s Retravision-Fremantle Cup (2936m) at Gloucester Park.
On one hand, he’s entering the race satisfied having won last week’s $1.25 million TABtouch-Nullarbor.
There’s also a part of him that knows there’s unfinished business in the Group 1 feature, following Lavra Joe’s sensational scratching just moments before last year’s edition.
Lavra Joe drew barrier one for last year’s Fremantle Cup and Hall Jnr said he can’t help but feel it was one that got away.
“I was pretty nervous leading up to that race,” Hall Jnr told Racing WA Harness.
“It was only my second drive on him, and everyone expected him to win because he had barrier one.
“He probably would’ve won with normal racing luck.
“I think he would’ve held the lead and that would’ve been enough.”
Hall Jnr went into last year’s Fremantle Cup following a luckless ninth placing in the Nullarbor with Never Ending.
His approach to driving Mister Smartee in this year’s Fremantle Cup is poles apart, having won last week’s lucrative slot race with the five-year-old.
“The fact he got that win last week means I’m quite content and it feels like the pressure is off a little bit,” Hall Jnr said.
“Races like the Nullarbor are hard to win, so it’s a big sense of relief when you do win them.
“That looked to be the strongest field we’ve had in a Nullarbor too.
“I think the best part of it is it’s just the start of things for Mister Smartee.”
Hall Jnr will be hoping the start of things for Mister Smartee results in a $300,000 feature race win tomorrow night.
He knows he will need plenty of luck to salute.
Defending champion Catch A Wave was handed all the favours at Tuesday’s barrier draw, where he came up with barrier one.
Mister Smartee drew on his back in barrier 10, while multiple Nullarbor placegetter Minstrel drew barrier 12.
It led to a discussion whether Hall Jnr looked to get off the fence with Mister Smartee, or follow Catch A Wave every step of the way and hope the gaps open over the concluding stages.
Hall Jnr said he felt riding his luck on the pegs was the right way to approach the race.
“I thought we would suck it and see from the draw,” he said.
“If we go back we won’t beat Minstrel to the breeze and we could end up near last.
“I think we can afford to take the risk and drive for luck this week, especially given he won last week.
“There will be tempo on and there should be a chance for him to get out over the 2900 at some stage.”
Catch A Wave, who will be out to become the fourth pacer to score back-to-back Fremantle Cup wins, is the $2.25 TABtouch favourite to win the event.
Mister Smartee ($3.50), Minstrel ($4.80) and Gee Heza Sport ($5) are the other runners in single figures.
Hall Jnr and his father and trainer Gary Hall Snr have tasted success in the Fremantle Cup on nine occasions.
Chicago Bull’s 2020 success was their most recent win in the event.
Tim Walker
Image - Pacepix