Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Capel trainer-reinsman Aiden De Campo has always considered The Miki Taker to be a tough and determined pacer who lacked brilliance.
But with age the five-year-old The Miki Taker is developing into a strong sprinter at the end of his races. He revealed this asset when he was a $6.90 chance in the 2130m Garrard’s Online Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The Miki Taker was beaten for early speed from barrier two and he raced in fifth position, three back on the pegs, while the $1.50 favourite Hoppys Way was bowling along in front after a very slow lead time of 39.2sec.
De Campo eased The Miki Taker off the pegs 400m from home, and after going five wide on the home turn, the gelding sprinted strongly to get up and snatch victory by a nose from $26 chance Ima Fivestar General, who ran on from the one-out, one-back position to get his nose in front a couple of strides from the winning post. Hoppys Way was a head away in third place.
The final quarters were run in 27.9sec. and 28.5sec., with de Campo saying: “He has always been a tough and dour horse, but in two of his past three runs he has sprinted well.”
The Miki Taker, who won the Group 1 Pearl Classic for two-year-olds in June 2021, has earned $201,107 from 12 wins and 12 placings from 33 starts. He is by Always B Miki and is the second foal out of Art Major mare Topless Beach Girl, who raced 21 times for one win, ten placings and $21,810.