Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Star reinsman Gary Hall Jnr declared that Mister Smartee was simply terrific in scoring a brilliant first-up win in the Kersley Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The lightly-raced New Zealand-bred four-year-old was the $1.70 favourite at his first appearance for 20 weeks, and he overcame the disadvantage of starting from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line in the 2130m event and gave a sample of his class by surging home with a three-wide burst from last with 700m to travel to get to the front at the 90m mark and win comfortably from $31 chance Star Casino.
“He won so easily and was bolting on the line,” said Hall. “They ran it to suit, but he still was awesome. He is a WA Pacing Cup hope, and we have also got the Golden Nugget to look forward to.”
Blaze Coops, a $41 outsider, set a fast pace, and the $2.65 second fancy and Mister Smartee’s talented stablemate Skylou was left working hard in the breeze. Mister Smartee settled down in last place ten lengths behind the leader.
Ryan Bell eased $8 chance Louie Dior off the pegs with 850m to travel, forcing Star Casino out three wide. And Hall was quick to follow Star Casino’s three-wide run in the final lap. Star Casino got his nose in front 110m from the post before Mister Smartee ran past him 20m later.
Mister Smartee, a gelding by Always B Miki, has won at ten of his twelve starts for stakes of $155,606.