Ken Casellas | Photo: Gloucester Park Harness Racing
Star reinsman Gary Hall was concerned when outstanding colt Smart Watch hung badly before scoring a narrow victory in the $20,250 Vale Beth Richardson Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
His worst fears were realised on Saturday morning when trainer Gary Hall Snr discovered that Smart Watch had bowed a tendon, an injury which will prevent him from contesting the $200,000 WA Derby on November 4.
Smart Watch had been a leading contender for the Derby after winning at his first three starts in Western Australia after arriving from New Zealand where he raced five times for a win and two placings.
“The leader (Swagger Man) tried to make it real hard for Smart Watch (by setting a fast pace),” said Hall Jnr. Smart Watch was hanging down on the bends, but still went super. I thought he was the winner a fair way out, but he still had to find ‘it’ late.”
Smart Watch, the $1.40 favourite from barrier two on the back line, settled down in seventh position in the one-wide line before Hall sent him forward, three wide, 1100m from home to move into the breeze. He finally got to the front with 300m to travel and won by a half neck from $21 chance Linebacker, rating 1.56.7 over 2130m.
High Price, the $6.50 third fancy and a stablemate of Smart Watch, raced wide early and in the breeze for a while before gaining a sit in the one-out, one-back position. He finished solidly into third place, with Swagger Man ($5.50) wilting late to finish tenth.