Spiteri confident in four-year-old’s ability ahead of return

It has been over 500 days since, Mikis Joe (Always B Miki) made his last race day appearance, but the four-year-old is set to make his long-awaited return to the harness racing track at Ballarat tonight.

The now Anthony Spiteri-prepared gelding’s last run was at Yarra Valley on January 9,2023. The pacer will make his return in the CUB 4YO and Older Maiden Pace with Adrian Pace set to pilot the gelding.

The foal out of Pelicanrama has gone through a change of scenery from the Chris Svanosio stable to Spiteri’s care.

“Chris Svanosio had him and he was pretty happy with him, he told the owner to give him some time-out and give him some time to grow,” Spiteri said.

Mikis Joe had four starts before the extended break, but the 48-year-old believes the foal by Always B Miki has made progress since the lay off.

“He was off for over a year, and I just started working him and I have been jogging him and have been doing pace work, he feels good, he has got some ability,” he said.

“He has got a beautiful temperament, and he is a nice and relaxed horse. Chris (Svanosio) was happy with him, he is a big horse now, what he needs is a bit of race fitness.”

The Coimadai trainer has been taking the gelding to the trials to pleasing results in anticipation for his long-awaited return.

“I got him going and I took him to the trials, and he has done a couple of good trials, and I said It is time to put him into a race now,” he said. “He is a different horse at the trials and at home.”

Mikis Joe has drawn eight for the 2200m event.

“The draw doesn’t suit as, hopefully he can succeed and go well,” he said. “He is a nice horse, and he can free leg with no hobbles, but I will put the hobbles on him for race day.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria