Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Legendary Hall Of Fame trainer Gary Hall Snr and his son, star reinsman Gary Hall Jnr, heaped praise on inexperienced three-year-old Mister Smartee after his brilliant victory in the 1730m Garrard’s Free Call Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“He has enormous ability and when the penny drops, he will be anything,” said Hall Snr.
Hall Jnr said: “Potentially, he will be one of our best horses if he ever sorts himself out.”
“He is so lazy that I had to chase the arm pretty hard tonight.”
Mister Smartee, the $1.10 favourite, began from barrier seven and raced three wide early before Hall sent him to the front after 420m. After opening quarters of 29.8sec. and 30.8sec. Mister Smartee dashed over the final 400m sections in 28.5sec. and 27.7sec. and coasted to victory by two lengths over $20 chance Galaxy Warrior. He rated a smart 1.55.7.
“He has huge toughness about him,” said Hall Jnr. “He just keeps coming.”
Mister Smartee is sure to develop into one of the major players in the $200,000 Golden Nugget in December. He raced twice in New Zealand for a win and a head second placing as a two-year-old, and he has had six starts in WA for five wins.
Mister Smartee is by American sire Always B Miki and is the second foal out of the unraced mare Luna Dancer, whose dam Lento produced eight winners after retiring with a record of 64 starts for 15 wins, 15 placings and $272,110.