Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Star reinsman Chris Voak continued his wonderful association with talented four-year-old Taking the Miki when he drove with great confidence to land the mare a narrow winner of the Group 3 $50,000 The Schrader Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Voak has driven the Jemma Hayman-trained Taking The Miki to her past ten wins, and Friday night’s success took the WA-bred mare’s record to 39 starts for eleven wins, 16 placings and $335,061 in prizemoney.
Taking The Miki started from the inside of the back line in the 2130m event in which she represented excellent value as a $8.20 chance on the tote.
The polemarker Stormyskyes ($4.60) set a solid pace, giving Voak an ideal trail, while the $2.30 favourite Cyclone Charlotte raced wide early and then in the breeze before running home with admirable determination to finish a head second. Taking The Miki was eased off the pegs 500m from home and got to the front approaching the home turn.
“We are now looking at the big races for mares (the $100,000 Norms Daughter on Friday week and the Group 1 $150,000 Mares Classic a fortnight later),” said Hayman.
Taking The Miki, winner of the WA Oaks 12 months ago and the Group 3 WASBA Breeders Stakes in May this year, was having her second run after a spell on Friday night, following her excellent first-up third behind Cyclone Charlotte the previous Friday.
“We started her last week without a trial, and she was definitely ready to play a part,” said Hayman. “If she had gained a run a bit sooner than she did she would have had a strong winning chance. The barrier helped tonight, and that combined with her will to win, led to the victory.”