Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Hall Of Fame trainer Gary Hall Snr continues to enthuse over the great potential of Mister Smartee, who is developing into a major contender for the $450,000 WA Pacing Cup on November 8.
Mister Smartee notched his eleventh win from 13 starts when he overcame a tough run in the breeze before cruising to an easy win over Eldaytona and To Fast To Serious in the $31,000 Past President’s Cup over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“He’s the best horse here,” said Hall. “He had a hard run tonight, and last week he gave a sensational performance to win.”
From the No. 4 barrier Mister Smartee was the $1.20 favourite, and was beaten for early speed by last-start winner and $19 third fancy Sangue Reale, who charged forward from the outside barrier in the field of eight to surge to the front after 120m.
Mister Smartee then was left working in the breeze while Sangue Reale reeled off quarters of 29.1sec., 28.6sec. and 27.9sec. before Gary Hall Jnr dashed the favourite to the front 300m from home on the way to beating Eldaytona by 5m, rating 1.54.9.
“They tried to make it hard for him, and he did it pretty comfortably,” said Hall Jnr. “He should keep improving.”
After contesting the 2536m Pacing Cup the New Zealand-bred Mister Smartee will be aimed at the $200,000 Golden Nugget over 2536m on December 13, as well as other feature events for four-year-olds. Mister Smartee now has earned $173,406 from his eleven victories.