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King Of Swing steps up with stylish win

Headshot of Ernie Manning
Ernie ManningThe West Australian
Gary Hall Snr with King of Swing at his Serpentine property.
Camera IconGary Hall Snr with King of Swing at his Serpentine property. Credit: Megan Powell

Class pacer King Of Swing earned early favouritism for the $200,000 Golden Nugget (2536m) when driven to a stylish win by top reinsman Gary Hall Jr at Gloucester Park tonight.

Hall was seen at his best ahead of driving WA star Chicago Bull in tomorrow night’s $200,000 Victoria Cup (2240m) at Melbourne’s Melton Paceway.

He settled King Of Swing in fifth position over early stages of the $18,000 Retravision Online Pace (2130m) tonight.

Speed set by front runners eased at the 1600m and Hall rushed forward with King Of Swing to take a clear lead.

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The raging hot favourite was then never seriously threatened and won by 1.25m without being extended to rate 1:56.6.

Hall said King Of Swing, who is trained by his father Gary Sr, was on target for the Golden Nugget at Gloucester Park in December.

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The WA Derby (2536m), run last April, has been among seven races won by King Of Swing in his past eight starts.

“He won in strong company last season,” Hall Jr said. “But I reckon he’s now better.

“The horse is a lot sharper this time in and all roads lead to the Nugget for him. We’re happy with his progress.”

Chicago Bull, also trained by Hall Sr, was flown from Perth to Melbourne on Wednesday.

“He travelled well and settled in ideally,” Hall Jr said. “I’m not sure yet how I’ll drive him from gate three at Melton. It will depend on rivals’ speed as to whether we go forward.

“The fast beginner Tiger Tara has drawn inside us and he’ll probably lead.”

Hall Sr said Chicago Bull, a winner at 12 of his past 13 starts, could not be faulted.

“It’s six months since we decided the Victoria Cup would launch his Victorian and New Zealand campaign,” the trainer said. “He’s had the perfect build-up.”

Hall Sr said Chicago Bull would race in Auckland on October 26 before going to Christchurch for the New Zealand Cup and a free-for-all.

He will return to Victoria in December and contest the Inter Dominion Championship.

The Halls plan to have him back home to tackle the Fremantle Pacing Cup and WA Pacing Cup in January.

Hall Jr completed a winning double tonight when he drove Rocknroll Lincoln to victory for trainer Justin Prentice in the $22,000 Fred Doy Memorial Pace (2130m).

He dashed Rocknroll Lincoln around rivals to take over front-running after 400m and the five-year-old set a solid pace which left opponents floundering.

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