Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Champion reinsman Gary Hall Jnr has formed a wonderful association with WA-bred six-year-old Medieval Man, who celebrated his 101ST start in a race by winning the 2130m Nova 93.7 Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Hall again gave a superb exhibition in the sulky to land Medieval Man, the $4.40 second fancy, an easy winner over the $2.15 favourite Rock Me Over.
Medieval Man was the only runner on the back line, starting behind the polemarker Rock Me Over. Ultimate Rocker ($15) began from barrier two and he won the start easily from Rock Me Over. Hall immediately eased Medieval Man off the pegs and he manoeuvred the gelding through heavy traffic and squeezed between Rock Me Over and Awaitinginstructions to quickly take up the position outside the pacemaker.
This was the winning move, and with Medieval Man in the breeze, and Sameplace Sametime in the one-out, one-back position, Rock Me Over was under lock and key behind the leader. Medieval Man took a narrow lead 450m from home and Rock Me Over did not get clear until the home turn before finishing gamely.
Hall has driven Medieval Man twelve times for seven wins, one second, two thirds, one fourth and one fifth. The gelding, who was having his sixth start for Byford trainer Craig Hynam, has been a good moneyspinner for his breeder Graeme Davies, who races him in partnership with his daughters Patrice and Kiara. He has earned $157,389 from 17 wins and 19 placings from 101 starts.
He is by Renaissance Man, whose major wins were in the Group 1 Sires Stakes at Harold Park in June 2009 and the South Australian derby at Globe Derby Park six months earlier. Medieval Man is out of the Bettors Delight mare So Crimsonandclova (34 starts for six wins, seven placings and $32,253).