Smartee staying put… for now

STAR WA pacer Mister Smartee (Always B Miki) will stay home and focus on the Group 1 WA Pacing Cup.

Trainer Gary Hall Sr said he briefly considered a trip to Christchurch for the iconic $NZ1 million NZ Cup, but had changed his mind.

“Gaz (Gary Hall Jr) is going to the World Drivers’ Championship in NZ around Cup time, so that’s where the original idea came from,” he said.

“I’ve ditched the idea now. It’s such a big trip and I’m better off staying home for now.

“We won’t be afraid to travel with him, in fact I’ll look forward to it, but the NZ Cup isn’t the right target for now.

“He’s also not even qualified from a standing-start as yet.”

Mister Smartee, who boasts 18 wins from just 23 starts, hasn’t raced since completing the huge Nullarbor/Fremantle Cup double on April 25 and May 2 at Gloucester Park.

He ran second to Minstrel in last year’s WA Pacing Cup on November 8.

Hall Sr said Mister Smartee had thrived during his break and would “get a bit more serious” in work this weekend.

“He looks great, as good as ever,” he said.

“He’s been ready to step-up for the past two weeks, but the weather has been awful and I’m getting the track done up. He’ll start hopple work this weekend.”

Beyond the WA Cup, Hall Sr said he would look at the Group 1 Hunter Cup at Melton in February.

“Melbourne’s easy to get to and from, so that’s a race I’m certainly looking at as far as travelling with him.

“Next year’s Inter Dominion is another. I want to support Queensland for getting the series back to $1 million.

“I did think about it this year, but I’ll admit there was a bit of wanting to dodge Leap To Fame. He’s the best horse I’ve seen.

“I know he’ll probably be there again next year, but Mister Smartee will be a year old and a lot more seasoned.

“It’s a long and tough trip getting a horse from Perth to Brisbane and back.”

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia