Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Brilliant square gaiter Tricky Ric strengthened his reputation as Western Australia’s best trotter when he scored a runaway victory in the 2130m $20,250 Summit Bloodstock Trot at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
It was the New Zealand-bred Tricky Ric’s fifth win in a row and his win completed a successful night for champion trainer Gary Hall Snr, a treble for star reinsman Gary Hall Jnr and a double for owner Steve Waters, a property developer from the rural town of Clevedon, not far from Auckland.
Hall Snr had been successful earlier in the night with Finvarra, Gambit and Euphoria, his son had won earlier with Finvarra and Western Arterra, and Waters was successful with Gambit in the Group 2 Navy Cup.
The wins of Gambit and Tricky Ric came as some compensation for Waters, whose outstanding pacer Smart Watch, unbeaten at his three West Australian starts, has been sidelined after suffering an injury that will prevent him from contesting the rich WA Derby at Gloucester Park next Friday night.
Tricky Ric, the $1.10 favourite, began safely from the No. 5 barrier and Hall sent him to the front after 220m. He then was untroubled to bowl along in front and he won by seven lengths from $19 chance Goodtime Pe Rabbit, rating 2.1.7.
Hall Jnr said that Tricky Ric would be set for the $50,000 Trotters Cup, a stand over 2503m, at Gloucester Park on February 3.