Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
The sky is the limit for lightly-raced New Zealand-bred four-year-old Mister Smartee according to Gary Hall Jnr who drove the gelding to an effortless victory in the 2130m TABtouch Share My Bet Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“He’s had a few behavioural issues we have needed to work on, and I think that when we get him doing everything we want him to do I’ve got no doubt that he’s a Cup horse,” said Hall.
Mister Smartee, trained by Gary Hall Snr, was the $1.04 favourite in Friday night’s event in which he began from the No. 1 barrier and was untroubled to set the pace and win from Miki Jet ($13) and Solesseo Matuca ($51), last-start winners who are prepared by Hall Jnr.
After a slow lead time of 39.3sec. and a dawdling opening quarter of 31.4sec. Mister Smarteee dashed over the final three 400m sections in 29.7sec., 28.8sec. and 27.4sec.
He rated 1.58.3 and improved his record to ten starts for eight wins and one placing for stakes of $109,670. He won at one of his two New Zealand starts, and his eight appearances in WA have produced seven victories.
Mister Smartee gives every indication that he will develop into a leading contender for the rich Golden Nugget later this year, as well as the other feature events for four-year-old pacers.