Racing WA Harness

Best of luck to WA representatives Gary Hall Jr and Emily Suvaljko as they take on Australia’s best at the 2026 Australian Drivers Championship at Globe Derby Park this October.

Two outstanding drivers and ambassadors for WA harness racing. Go WA!

Racing WA

Champion pacer Magnificent Storm stamped his authority on Friday night’s Trotsynd August Cup, cruising to another dominant victory at Gloucester Park.

The nine-year-old made it 51 career wins and more than $1.85 million in prizemoney, proving too strong despite starting from the outside barrier. Driver Aiden de Campo summed it up best: “He almost drives himself.”

Read the full story on Magnificent Storm’s latest triumph, his road to the WA Pacing Cup and de Campo’s standout weekend in the sulky.

https://racingwa.com.au/news/2026/08/24/star-pacer-does-his-own-thing

Ace trainer Kim Prentice was overjoyed at four-year-old Soho Shakedown’s wonderful performance to finish second to superstar pacer Magnificent Storm in the Trotsynd August Cup at Gloucester Park on Friday night, and now he is setting his sights on the $200,000 Golden Nugget on November 6.

“For Soho Shakedown to have his twelfth race start and compete against Magnificent Storm was pretty tough on him, and now it is upwards and onwards towards the Golden Nugget,” said Prentice.

“I’m absolutely stoked with this horse. I trained his father (Soho Tribeca), and I always wanted that horse to throw a really good horse, and this guy (Soho Shakedown) is a really nice horse.

“From barrier one tonight I was hoping Soho Shakedown had the gate speed to hold up (at the start) and then take the sit behind Magnificent Storm.

“This was the first time in the big smoke for Soho Shakedown and Abbey (driver Abbey Vidovich). I was chucking both in the deep end, and they came out swimming very good.”

Vidovich was able to hold up from the No. 1 barrier and Soho Shakedown led for the first 550m before Magnificent Storm surged to the front. Soho Shakedown enjoyed the ideal sit, and he impressed in running home strongly along the inside to finish second, 2m from the winner.

Soho Shakedown, owned and bred in Victoria by Rob Watson, has been most impressive in earning $75,867 from eight wins and two second placings from 12 starts.

His sire Soho Tribeca amassed $1,103,854 from 21 wins and 24 placings from 59 starts, and Soho Shakedown is the third foal out of Soho All Shook Up, who was retired after racing twice as a two-year-old in Victoria for one win, at Maryborough in February 2017.

Soho Tribeca did much of his racing in Victoria, and he was prepared by Prentice for his 17 appearances in Western Australia which produced six wins and eight placings. Highlights of those runs were his win in the Golden Nugget in December 2016 when he defeated Nathans Courage and Chicago Bull, his second to Chicago Bull in the Fremantle Cup in January 2017 and his victory over Chicago Bull in the WA Pacing Cup in January 2018.

Nothing would give Prentice greater pleasure than a win by Soho Shakedown in this year’s Golden Nugget.

“There is a race for four-year-olds next Friday night, and Soho Shakedown will go around in that,” said Prentice. “And after that we will map out a program leading up to the Nugget.

“At home Soho Shakedown is a beautiful-looking horse, but out on the track he looks very small and pretty ordinary because he races with his head down.

“He leaves all his good work for the races. He doesn’t care what happens at home on the track. Any horse can work with him and beat him. But come race day he’s like John Worsfold crossing the white line.

“I have had him since day one and broke him in. He was in the yearling sales in Melbourne, and I was able persuade Robbie (Watson) to withdraw him and allow me to take him home.”

Watch the replay here: racingwa.com.au/rwa/meetings/harness/2026-08-21/GLOUCESTER%20PARK/GP210826/race/4/GPM21082608

A decision by Hayden Charles to alter Manhattan Moon’s usual racing pattern paid dividends when he drove the five-year-old to an overdue victory in the 1730m Westbred Heats on Tuesday Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Manhattan Moon is trained by Charles’s father Kevin, who races the gelding in partnership with his wife Annette, and the win ended a 13-month drought and broke a losing sequence of 25.

“He went super,” said Hayden Charles. “Manhattan Moon is more of a sit-sprinter and generally we don’t use him off the gate.

“He has been unlucky lately and we thought that a positive drive was the way to go. His form had been a bit off recently, racing back in the field, and this was a weaker field.”

Manhattan Moon ($6.30) began from the No. 4 barrier, and Charles made a strong bid for the early lead. But the spirited challenge was unsuccessful, with Nathan Turvey keen to make sure the polemarker Leaveamessage ($4.60) retained the advantage of setting the pace.

Charles was then content to race Manhattan Moon in the breeze, and the son of Control The Moment forged to the front 100m from the post and won by almost a length from the $1.75 favourite Akoya Pearl, who battled on doggedly after trailing the leader all the way.

An astute punter who invested $200 on four-year-old Hold The Ammo at the fixed odds price of $61 celebrated a $12,200 windfall when trainer Lindsay Harper drove a patient race to land the WA-bred pacer to victory in the 2130m Free Entry Pace.

Hold The Ammo, who returned a straight-out dividend of $30,10 on the tote, began from the back line, with Harper content to remain in seventh place on the pegs while $5.50 chance Curadh was setting a solid pace.

Harper eased Hold The Ammo off the inside with about 500m travel, and the horse went four wide on the home turn and finished strongly to beat Curadh by a length and a half, rating 1.57.5.

“He has had no luck lately, and we relied on a bit of luck tonight --- and we got it, and he won comfortably,” said Harper.

Harper completed a training and driving double two events later when $6 chance Elwaddell gave a bold frontrunning display to hold on and win by a half-head from $14 chance Ima Fivestar General, who charged home late after racing three back on the pegs in the W Night Is Coming Pace.

Harper’s good form continued at Northam on Saturday night when Elplayer, a two-year-old c**t he owns, won a 1780m event as an $11 chance for trainer Peter Anderson.

Elplayer, driven by Harper’s elder son Donald, trailed the pacemaker Hurricane Bella, driven by Harper’s second son Kyle, and took advantage of the sprint lane to beat the breeze horse Elquestro, driven by Kyle Harper’s wife Lauren, with the Jerime Steele-trained Hurricane Bella back in third place.

Watch the replay here: racingwa.com.au/rwa/meetings/harness/2026-08-21/GLOUCESTER%20PARK/GP210826/race/8/GPM21082612

Champion trainer Gary Hall snr produced Delighful Peg in fine fettle for her first-up appearance for four months when she overcame the awkward draw at barrier No. 5 to score a stylish victory in the $25,000 Slot Opportunities Free-For-All for mares over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Gary Hall jnr got Delightful Peg, the $1.85 favourite, away to a flying start and she gave an excellent frontrunning performance to rate 1.55.2 in winning by more than a length from Penny Black, who fought on gamely after racing without cover all the way.

“There is a lot to like about her,” said Hall. “On the home turn I expected that she would go to the line pretty much locked together with Penny Black. Her last hundred was really pleasing.”

Delightful Peg, a New Zealand-bred four-year-old, has won at five of her six starts in Western Australia and gives every indication that she will develop into a leading candidate for the rich feature events for mares later in the year. Her first-up success improved her career record to 26 starts for eight wins, three placings and $119,388 in stakes.

Delightful Peg’s win gave Hall the first leg of a driving treble. He was also successful with Scooter B in the Mick Bandoni Celt Pace and Getn Wiggy Withit in the Taste of WA Pace.

Scooter B, the $1.50 favourite, began from barrier eight and settled at the rear before being sent forward after 700m to race outside the pacemaker and stablemate Atlas The Titan ($13). Scooter B got to the front with 120m to travel and won by a length from $31 chance Major Disco, who sustained a spirited burst from the rear.

Eight-year-old Getn Wiggy Withit was a $7.80 chance when he lined up at barrier No. 3 for his first run after a 15-week absence. He was produced in excellent shape by Gnangara trainer Luke Edwards, and was driven aggressively by Hall, who dashed him straight to the front and after a lead time of 7.5sec. sprinted over the opening 400m section in 28.7sec. with the $2.25 favourite Wicked Hustler in the breeze.

Getn Wiggy Withit excelled in his pacemaking role, and he won by more than two lengths from $15 chance Franco Mecca, who ran home strongly from fifth at the bell, three back on the pegs.

“Luke was confident before the race,” said Hall. “He expected him to be virtually unbeatable if he found the front. It all turned out well. I let him slide over the short trip. His will to win has been questionable at times, but he got a big enough break and was happy to hold it.”

Watch the replay here: racingwa.com.au/rwa/meetings/harness/2026-08-21/GLOUCESTER%20PARK/GP210826/race/2/GPM21082609

A shot at harness racing glory and $1.25 million in prize money. Expressions of Interest for 2027 TABtouch Nullarbor slots are now open and close at 9am on Monday 7 September.

📅 Race Night: Friday 23 April 2027 | Gloucester Park

Visit: racingwa.com.au/westerntrilogy

Good news! Ticket sales for the Harness Owners Appreciation Event have been extended until 5pm on Wednesday, 26 August.

As some horses are expected to qualify for the 4 September meeting early next week, we've extended ticket sales so more owners with runners on the night have the opportunity to join us.

Secure your tickets here: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/2026-harness-owners-only-appreciation-event-tickets-1993499556838

Can the next generation topple a champion?

Lightly raced four-year-old Soho Shakedown will take on WA superstar Magnificent Storm in Friday night’s Trotsynd August Cup at Gloucester Park. With just 11 starts under his belt, the rising star faces his toughest test yet against one of the State’s greatest pacers.

Read the full story here: https://racingwa.com.au/news/2026/08/20/prentice-is-aiming-high

Ace reinsman Gary Hall jnr drove Scooter B and Atlas The Titan to smart victories last Friday night, and he has given punters a strong lead by electing to drive Scooter B in preference to Atlas The Titan in the Mick Bandoni Celtic Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Both pacers are trained by Gary Hall snr, with Scooter B poorly drawn out wide at barrier No. 8, and Atlas The Titan, to be handled by Stuart McDonald, awkwardly drawn at barrier six.

“I think Scooter B is the better horse at this stage,” said Hall jnr. “His was a good run when he won last Friday when he got home in only 30sec. But he was entitled to drop back.”

Scooter B began from the outside of the back line and raced three wide when the lead time was a swift 35.3sec. He then was restrained to last in the field of twelve before being sent forward 950m from home and taking the lead 450m later on his way to beating Illawong Mustang by three lengths.

Four-year-old Scooter B has overcome a tendon injury and looks capable of improving significantly on his record of twelve starts for six wins and four placings.

Five-year-old Atlas The Titan also is on the comeback trail, and he impressed with his comfortable victory over Lou Lamour and Turbo Jay over 213m last Friday night when he covered extra ground are raced in the breeze for much of the race.

Hall had the choice of driving Raklou (barrier one), Delightful Peg (barrier five) and Eastbro Chrissy (barrier six) in the $25,000 Slot Opportunities Free-For-All for mares, and he has opted to handle Delightful Peg, with Stuart McDonald being engaged for Raklou, and Maddison Brown for Eastbro Chrissy.

Delightful Peg, prepared by Gary Hall snr, will be appearing for the first time since she began out wide at barrier eight and covered a lot of extra ground before finishing eighth behind Little Darling in the 2536m Empress Stakes on April 17.

That followed splendid victories at Gloucester Park at her four previous outings, and Hall jnr is looking forward for the four-year-old enjoying another successful season on the track.

“She has come back well and is working in good style, and she should prove hard to beat,” he said. “She has proven that she can lead and beat those good mares before.”

Outstanding mares Little Darling and Penny Black will also have many admirers, with Little Darling resuming after a four-month absence, and Penny Black having her second start after a well-deserved spell.

Jocelyn Young, who will drive Little Darling for trainer Cameron Ross, was full of praise for the mare’s winning trial at Pinjarra last Wednesday week when she rated 1.57.2 in beating Curadh by three lengths after final sections of 30.7sec., 28.9sec., 28.3sec. and 27.9sec.

“In the trial Little Darling raced four back on the fence while there was a tearaway leader, and when I pulled her out, she ran a very quick 200 metres and she ran her final mile in 1.54 something.

“I gave her a good hit-out but starting from barrier nine makes it hard, and I’d say we will probably be happy to give her a (reasonable) run without doing too much crazy from out there. However, I’m sure she will be competitive.”

Penny Black, a brilliant winner at 18 of her 47 starts, will begin out wide at barrier eight, but is sure to prove very hard to beat after an excellent first-up fifth behind Magnificent Storm over 2130m last Friday night when she thundered home from tenth at the bell, with the three final 400m sections (off the front) being run in 28.4sec., 27.5sec. and 27.2sec.

Penny Black will be handled by her regular driver Emily Suvaljko for trainer Michael Young, who described the mare’s run last week as “super.”

View the field her: racingwa.com.au/rwa/meetings/harness/2026-08-21/GLOUCESTER%20PARK/GP210826/race/5/GPM21082606

Two perfect getaways in mobile trials have boosted Abbey Vidovich’s confidence that the Kim Prentice-trained four-year-old Float My Boat will be on his best behaviour when she drives him from the No. 1 barrier in the Free Entry Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Float My Boat was a well-fancied $3.70 chance in a race at Gloucester Park last Friday week, but he ruined his chances when he galloped badly 50 metres after the start and then trailed his rivals before finishing a distant last.

He was then ordered back to trials and Vidovich handled him when he began smoothly in trials at Pinjarra two Wednesdays ago, and again at Bunbury two nights later.

“He didn’t put a foot wrong in the trials, and he should go well from the inside barrier on Friday night,” said Vidovich. “Hopefully, he will be the leader or on the leader’s back. I’m looking forward to him making amends.”

Before he galloped at his latest outing Float My Boat impressed with wins over 1177m at Pinjarra and over 2190m at Northam at his two previous starts.

Two of Float My Boat’s main rivals, five-year-olds Curadh and Brought To Light, have drawn out wide but they have shown excellent potential in brief careers.

Curadh, trained and driven Dylan Egerton-Green, will begin from barrier seven, and Brought To Light, to be driven by Chris Voak for trainer Katie Howlett, will start from the No. 8 barrier.

Curadh set the pace when an easy winner at Northam three starts ago, and he is also a versatile performer who has unwound powerful finishing bursts in country and city events.

Brought To Life began out wide at barrier nine when he sustained a strong run from ninth at the bell to finish fourth behind Captain Stirling over 2130m last Friday week. That followed four wins and three placings at his previous seven starts.

Dourado, trained and driven by Aiden de Campo, is capable of figuring strongly in the finish despite starting from the outside of the back line and having a losing sequence of eleven. “He is working back into form,” declared de Campo, who faces a busy night with drives in nine of the ten events.

Apart from driving Magnificent Storm for trainer Ray Williams, de Campo suggests his best winning prospects are Captain Said So in race seven, and Magic Captain in race ten.

“Captain Said So was unlucky at his last start (when he began out wide at barrier nine and raced six back on the pegs before being hampered for room and finishing fifth behind Sebastian James last Friday night) and he should run a good race this week,” said de Campo.

“Magic Captain has a bad draw (No. 8) to contend with, but this still looks a winnable race. He won very well last week (coming from eighth at the bell to beat Raklou by two lengths).” de Campo added that he expected forward showings from Major Disco (race five), Artful Major (race six) and Gelsomino Amal (race eight).

View the field here: racingwa.com.au/rwa/meetings/harness/2026-08-21/GLOUCESTER%20PARK/GP210826/race/1/GPM21082610