Champion trainer Gary Hall Snr says returning pacer Sweet Pins has similar ability to Nullarbor winner Mister Smartee.
A knee injury, followed by subsequent complications, has restricted Sweet Pins to just one start for Hall Snr.
He makes his return in the Smooth FM Perth On Digital Radio Pace (2130m) at Gloucester Park tonight, where he’s expected to be too classy for his rivals.
Hall Snr said he was pleased to have Sweet Pins back racing and hoped he could show why he rates him as highly as Mister Smartee.
“I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed,” Hall Snr told TABradio’s Talking Trots.
“Obviously he will never reach the highs that he could have.
“There wouldn’t be anything between him and Mister Smartee.
“I love the horse and I like the speed he’s got.
“I don’t know he could stay like Mister Smartee.”
The four-year-old produced an encouraging performance in a 2150m trial at Byford last Saturday, where he led and won in 2:00.4.
Sweet Pins has drawn barrier three for tonight’s and is a $1.10 TABtouch favourite.
Hall Snr indicated he hoped to get Sweet Pins to the Golden Nugget and other four-year-old feature races later in the year.
Meanwhile, another rising star from the Hall Snr stable will step out earlier on tonight’s Gloucester Park card.
Chase Me will be out to make it three wins from as many starts under Hall Snr’s care when he lines up in the Ricki-Lee, Tim and Joel Pace (2130m).
The three-year-old will start from barrier six in the event and has the draw advantage over his main rival Mikis Pride in barrier 11.
Hall Snr said he had plenty of time for Chase Me but stopped short of putting him in the same class as fellow three-year-old Cyclone Jordy.
“I really like him,” he said.
“He has a nice bit of depth.
“He hasn’t got the point-to-point speed of Cyclone Jordy, but he’s certainly got the toughness.
“I’d be disappointed if he got beaten tonight.”
Tim Walker
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