BLAST FROM THE PAST
2011 INTER-DOMINION PACING HEAT: Won by Themightyquinn
 2011 NEVELE R INTER-DOMINION PACERS (Heat 3)
If winning came down to looks, Themightyquinn wouldn't win much. Gary Hall jnr smiles at that. "Everone can pick out Blacks A Fake and Mr Feelgood. With this guy, they just walk straight past."
If winning had something to do with presentation, manners and articulation, Gary Hall jnr would be up there with Lance Justice. Both can run up a few good quotes, and driving great horses gives them plenty of practice. They've been doing all the talking in the barn at Alexandra Park so far.
Hall was applauded after his post-race comments immediately after the race last Friday. "It will be a long week," he said. "Dad has come over, but he's said he's only come to watch." That's gone down well. Hall jnr said he was a little concerned coming into the series, saying the pressure of training the horse without his father there "was a bit of a worry. But he is a very easy horse to train, and great for letting you know when he's right."
Themightyquinn has been right for months, but never quite in the zone of fitness and contentment that he's in right now. "I don't have the words to describe how fast he is going here. I do know it's a great asset to have. From where we were, I thought we would be lucky to pick up Monkey King, so his finish did surprise me. I didn't think he could go faster than what he has, but maybe now he is. We think he's better now than what he was for the Auckland Cup, and he could be a better horse for the Final."
While the Perth people went home and slept well, those in the Monkey King camp were tossing and turning. "He's not steering right," said driver Ricky May. "He doesn't feel good on any of the corners, and it's taking too much out of him. I've got to take hold of him too keep him off the markers. "We've got some issues." May said he was well aware of the punch that Themightyquinn brings to the fight. "I know what he can do; I drove him often enough. One time, Monkey King used to have the same speed that Themightyquinn is using now."
Credit: Mike Grainger writing in HR Weekly 6Apr2011
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