By Adam Hamilton
If former star mare Cyclone Kate was human, she would be one heck of a proud mum watching on.
Her latest progeny Cyclone Rebel, a colt by Bettor’s Delight, made quite a splash winning his first start at staggeringly big odds at Alexandra Park last Friday week.
He steps up quickly again to try and overcome an awful draw (gate 12) and win again in a heat of the Sires’ Stake series at the same track this week.
Almost 5400 kilometres away and in a different country, Cyclone Rebel’s older half-brother Cyclone Jordy returns to racing in the $35,000 Battle of Bunbury on Saturday night.
The nuggety three-year-old is chasing his 11th successive win, the past nine of those since being bought by clients of champion trainer Gary Hall Sr for a reported $400,000 and joining his stable.
Cyclone Jordy had five starts in NZ for three wins and a second before crossing the ditch.
Hall Sr doesn’t hide his excitement.
“He’s special,” he said. “He’s the equal of any of the best three-year-olds I’ve trained … Alta Christiano, The Falcon Strike and Chicago Bull, none were better than him.
“It hasn’t been easy getting races for him with our ratings system.
“If the three-year-old races don’t stand-up, and they rarely do when people see him nominated, he’d have to race against free-for-allers because he’s won 10 in a row. I refuse to do that.”
Cyclone Jordy will dominate betting again from gate two at Bunbury.
The $200,000 Group 1 WA Derby on October 31 is Cyclone Jordy’s most immediate feature target.
Beyond Bunbury, there is a WA Derby Prelude slated for Gloucester Park on October 3.
In other stable news, 2023 Auckland Cup winner Better Eclipse has joined the growing team of Hall Sr’s son, Gary Jnr. They train from the same property.
Better Eclipse won three Group 1 races, including the Chariots Of Fire and Sunshine Sprint, in a phenomenal stint with trainer Jess Tubbs and her late husband, Greg Sugars.
He also finished second to Leap To Fame in the 2023 Brisbane Inter Dominion final.
Tubbs confirmed he left her stable last month.
“It was sad to see him go, he’s been a real favourite, but I’m just glad he’s gone to a good stable and will be well looked after,” she said.
Better Eclipse will be set for the $450,000 Group 1 WA Pacing Cup in December.
Interestingly, Hall Jr is the regular driver of nominal WA Cup favourite Mister Smartee, who won the huge Nullarbor/Fremantle Cup double in April/May.
He returned a spell with a fourth to Magnificent Storm in the free-for-all after sitting outside the leader and winner last Friday night.
“I was pleased with the run,” Hall Sr said. “He needed it and Magnificent Storm was race fit and always going to dictate and run along.”
Hall has opted to back-up Mister Smartee quickly this week where he will start from outside the front row (gate eight) in an easier free-for-all over 2130m.
His most fascinating rival is one-time glamour pacer Captain Ravishing, who has changed ownership and is first-up for the Lindsay Harper stable from gate three.
