Mister Smartee boosts Nullabor hopes for WA

Stylish gelding Mister Smartee (Always B Miki) stamped his credentials for the Nullabor when he led most of the way for a fairly effortless win in the Group 3 $50,000 Governors Cup at Gloucester Park last night.

Mister Smartee was returning from a surprise defeat in last month’s Bunbury Cup when he was caught wide and never looked comfortable in finishing fifth to Magnificent Storm who was an unfortunate late scratching before the event.

MISTER SMARTEE APR 11 REPLAY GOVERNORS CUP

However punters were prepared to forgive Mister Smartee and he was a short odds on favourite.

As expected Otis gathered enough pace from the pole to easily hold the lead. Mister Smartee was eased right back at the start by driver Gary Hall Jnr but no sooner had the field settled down he was taking off and he was allowed to stride to the lead without any opposition.

From then on it was a mere formality for Mister Smartee who was able to run his first two quarters in 30.4 and 29.6 seconds. To no one’s surprise he reeled off the final two quarters in 28.8 and 27.2 seconds and he strolled clear to win over Otis who battled on gamely with Tricky Miki in third placing.

Gary Hall Jnr was relieved after the event.

“I wasn’t confident until after that lead time. Like I said to Jill after the race I would have just been happy to leave him there because I know Otis loves that role so I just thought after the 36 if I really put it to him he probably has to let me to.”

“I was happy with the way he went. I was pretty happy with how it all panned out early and the fact that we got a win on the board and a good run under his belt.”

“He’s a different author this time, he’s got very lazy on us he’s only really got two speeds back in the day it was flat out or off the bit and now he’s a lot more relaxed. So it’s just something different to work with going forward.”

Asked about how far he could beat Swayzee Hall Jnr quipped “Six and a half metres.”

The $1.25 million Nullabor to be staged at Gloucester Park on 25 April is shaping to be a contest with the local stars Mister Smartee and Minstrel taking on the eastern invaders Swayzee and Catch A Wave.

Minstrel who was runner up in the Inter Dominion Final at Menangle Park in December hasn’t raced since his gallant second in the Mount Eden Mile at Pinjarra last month.

The locals will be eager to win this year’s event as the first two editions went to Betterzippit in 2023 for trainer Jason Grimson and last year Catch A Wave prevailed for Andy and Kate Gath.

Swayzee will go straight into the big event without another run while Catch A Wave will contest a Free For All next weekend that is intended to sharpen him up for the week later.

The start will be all important and who ever leads and is able to get a breather in one of the final quarters then they will be the one to beat. And at this stage if Swayzee was to find the front then he indefatigable will to win would probably carry him through.

So all eyes will be on Gloucester Park on their big night.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink