Not only is Gary Hall snr a master trainer, but he is an extremely astute judge of young pacers.
The 76-year-old maestro chalked up a record fourth winner of the prestigious Golden Slipper when his son Gary drove the inexperienced and immature colt D Mac to a decisive victory in the $150,000 Channel Seven Golden Slipper at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
This triumph justified Hall’s judgment when he made a snap decision five months ago to purchase D Mac for $200,000 after watching the video recording of the colt’s only start in New Zealand --- when he was beaten in a $18,600 event for two-year-olds at the Central Southland Raceway on April 17.
D Mac is a son of up-and-coming sire Downbytheseaside, a brilliant performer who raced 35 times in America for 22 wins, ten placings and stakes of $2,283,068, but there certainly was little to enthuse over the breeding of the colt’s dam, Flashonbye, who was retired after having nine starts in New Zealand as a two and three-year-old in 2010 and 2011 without winning and managing four placings.
Flashonbye then was sent to the breeding barn, and her first four foals did little to enhance her reputation. Her first foal, Ideal Ron earned $2260 from one third placing from eight starts; her second foal Flash Reactor did not race; her third foal Sporty Charlie had managed six wins in minor events from 42 starts when D Mac made his race debut; and her fourth foal Flashbytheseaside had raced four times for one placing and stakes of $2490.
But Hall completely disregarded the breeding on D Mac’s dam’s side. Maybe he was subconsciously influenced by the fact that Flashonbye was a daughter of Washington VC, the sire of Hall’s superstar Im Themightyquinn, who was retired with earnings of $4,4567,456 from 58 wins and 34 placings from 111 starts, as well as another star from the Hall stable in the 2014 WA Pacing Cup winner Hokonui Ben.
D Mac is unbeaten at his two starts at Gloucester Park for Hall, earning $98,188, and showing all the signs of developing into a star three-year-old next year.
So, why was Hall so determined to train D Mac, the fifth foal out of Flashonbye?
“His run was outstanding at his only New Zealand start,” explained Hall. “He ran second when he showed gate speed and did all the work in the race. He was a beautiful pacer, as well.
“Regarding breeding, I must say that once a horse gets on to the track his mother or father won’t help. I watch all New Zealand races on video, and I knew that D Mac was a good horse, just by the way he went.
“D Mac will now be spelled and will be gelded next week. His main aim next year will be the WA Derby.”
D Mac was the $1.20 favourite from the No. 3 barrier in Friday night’s 2130m classic. Ideal Beach, the $5 second fancy, was smartest to begin from barrier four and led by a neck in the early stages but was unable to cross as D Mac mustered speed on his inside to take up the running.
Bettor Move Matty ($21) began from the outside of the back line and was sent forward, three wide, by Aiden De Campo to move to the breeze after 600m, enabling Ideal Beach to enjoy a perfect trail in the one-out, one-back position.
D Mac was not pushed to amble over the lead time in 37.5sec. and he relaxed beautifully to coast through the opening quarters in 30.8sec. and 30.5sec. before he sprinted powerfully to record final 400m sections of 27.3sec. and 28.3sec. He rated 1.56.7.
D Mac beat $41 chance Wake Up Geoff by two lengths after that colt had trailed D Mac all the way. Bettor Move Matty fought on grandly to finish third, with El Mystro ($61) sustaining a strong run from the rear to be an excellent fourth, with Ideal Beach a most unlucky close-up sixth after being hopelessly blocked for a clear run in the final stages.
By Ken Casellas