Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Hall of Fame trainer Gary Hall Snr has Master Publisher racing in top form, and after the New Zealand-bred six-year-old had scored a splendid victory in the 2130m Garrard’s Horse And Hound Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night star reinsman described his win as “super.”
Getn Wiggy Withit, a $34 outsider, set a very fast early pace and kept Master Publisher at bay until Hall was able to send the gelding to the front after 400m, following a scorching lead time of 34.4sec.
Master Publisher was able to relax with opening quarters of the final mile in 32.5sec. and 31.1sec. before dashing over the final 400m sections in 28sec. and 28.9sec. to beat $14 chance Whos The Dad by a length after that pacer had surged home from last at the bell.
“He went super tonight,” said Hall Jnr. “Not often does a horse go 34.4sec. for the lead time and still hold on. I thought he was gone at the 600m. He usually folds up late and finds excuses.”
Master Publisher, who rated 1.57, has earned $119,683 from 13 wins and 13 placings from 54 starts.