Mister Smartee takes out the Nullabor for Gary Hall Jnr

Local harness racing star Mister Smartee (Always B Miki) showed that he has reached the big time when he came with a well timed burst to take out the $1.25 million Group 1 Tabtouch Nullabor at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The previous two Nullabors had been won by the Eastern raiders and the West Australians were determined to have the coveted Group 1 classic back in local hands.

However even when the field was being assembled it was considered to be a clash between the locals Minstrel and Mister Smartee against the Interstaters Catch A Wave who won the event last year and the mighty Swayzee who has shown outstanding staying class in becoming of the leading pacers in the land.

But when the barrier draw was announced earlier in the week the favoured barrier draw  4 went to Minstrel with Mister Smartee and Catch A Wave out wider on the front and Swayzee consigned to the second row. Thus Minstrel was installed a short priced favourite ahead of Swayzee.

And as predicted Minstrel charged straight to the lead over Otis. Gary Hall Jnr on Mister Smartee was wide early moving up to the lead but Cameron Hart on Swayzee quickly extricated his horse from the second row and sent him up outside the leader which then gave Mister Smartee the perfect trail one out and one back.

MISTER SMARTEE APR 25 REPLAY NULLABOR

Swayzee continued to eyeball Minstrel in the lead and the two stars continued to set a brisk pace. Mister Smartee was enjoying the trail with Gee Heza Sport perched right behind. Catch A Wave from the wide draw had no option but to ease back to the rear of the field.

The leaders ran a blistering second quarter of 27.8 seconds and Minstrel appeared to gain a slight break over Swayzee. It was then when Gary Hall Jnr eased out to make his run. Minstel looked likely to hold off his rivals but he couldn’t break clear and Mister Smartee finished to well to win from the fast finishing Gee Heza Sport with Minstrel third just ahead of a gallant Swayzee,

An emotional Gary Hall Jnr expressed his feelings after the event.

“Its an unbelievable thrill. I said during the week I was pretty nervous. I did think he was a big chance. With the draw at first I thought that’s no good but the more I thought about it and looked where we were going to be it looked like a good run for him.”

“The horse still had to go a big job to follow that speed and come off their backs.”

“I love this horse. He’s a really quirky horse but I always thought he was elite level. I got excited half way down the straight but held my nerve as Swayzee is known to kick back.”

“You never know when you get a chance to win these races and horses like him don’t come along very often. I’ve always wanted to win this race.”

Trainer Gary Hall Snr has done a marvellous job with Mister Smartee who last season stamped himself as a rising star with ten wins from eleven appearances. This time in he has raced against the very best and last week he was runner up to Catch A Wave in a Free For All.

Hall Snr in ranking Mister Smartee stated “He’s second to The Mighty Quinn but he’s not as good as Leap to Fame. I might take him to the Inter Dominion, I’ll think about it.”

In winning, Mister Smartee has earned just under $1.1 million in prize money. It appears likely that all of last night’s main contenders will be around for next week’s $300,000 Fremantle Cup and another fascinating event is likely with the barrier draw once again being a key factor in the fortunes of the runners.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink