Exciting five-year-old Wildwest provided champion reinsman Gary Hall Jnr with his third victory in the $50,000 Governor’s Cup when he defied spirited early challenges for the lead from Bracken Sky and Talktomeurmattjesty in the Group 2 2130m feature event at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The New Zealand-bred Wildwest, the $1.60 favourite from the prized No. 1 barrier, had to be driven hard to keep his rivals at bay before bowling along in front and winning by 2m at a 1.54.9 rate from $13 chance Miracle Moose, with Cyclone Banner ($51) running on from sixth at the bell to be third.
“The fast lead time (34.6sec.) was always going to be,” said Hall. “I had to make my intentions clear. I was surprised that Bracken Sky (barrier five) was the first to have a crack for the lead.
“But Wildwest was having his first try from the inside barrier in this company and I expected a few would have a go for the lead. Bracken Sky got a bit of an advantage on me, but we were able to kick through on the inside, and this (the early speed) probably helped me to hold out Talktomeurmattjesty.
“Wildwest didn’t get fierce; he’s over that, but it is hanging that remains a problem. On the fence he’s obviously manageable, but out wider he is inclined to hang. He was flat at the finish, but he didn’t switch off.”
Wildwest, prepared by Gary Hall Snr, will now be set for the Pinjarra Cup on Monday March 1. There is also a strong possibility that the Raging Bull gelding will be sent to race in Sydney where he is sure to be better suited on the spacious 1400m Menangle track.
Wildwest, who won at his only start in New Zealand, in a 2400m stand at Winton In May 2019, has raced 14 times in Western Australia for nine wins.
By Ken Casellas