Halls’ night of dominance

FATHER and son combination Gary Hall and Gary junior dominated last night’s Gloucester Park program.

Confident they had a solid team ready to contest the meeting, the pair finished with five and six wins.

Capturing the opening event with Balcatherine, the Garys then secured the three following events on the card as Mr Kiwi, Mister Bushido and Just Rockon Bye proved too good for their opposition.

“It was a perfect start to the night,” Gary said. “Just Rockon Bye was a bit of a surprise at $19, but she just needed a bit of luck to return to the winners’ circle.”

Junior then combined with Justin Prentice to annex the main event – Pearl Classic – to make it five straight.

Taking the reins behind short priced favourite Gardys Legacy, Junior took the daughter of Bettors Delight to the lead from the pole before maintaining an even tempo during the middle stages.

Striding clear along the home straight, Gardys Legacy completed a four-metre win from Valentines Brook, with Bettor Luck three metres away third.

Rating 1:58.2 over 2130 metres, the three-year-old extended her record to seven wins and two seconds from 14 starts for earnings of $86,426.

Junior then rejoined his father to emerge triumphant with in-form trotter Princess Mila.

“We had quite a few good chances going into the night, but I felt she was the best of them,” Gary said.

Princess Mila’s victory is the 25th time Gary has prepared five or more winners at a meeting, giving the champion horseman the Australian record.

Gary had previously shared the record with Victorian horsewoman Emma Stewart.

The mare’s success also provided Junior with his third sextet, having previously achieved the feat in October 2012 and ’13.