By Adam Hamilton
Former Kiwi pacer Mister Smartee completed Western Australia’s big pacing double with a barnstorming $300,000 Group 1 Fremantle Cup win at Gloucester Park last night.
Just as he did a week earlier to win the $1.25 million Nullarbor, Gary Hall Jr drove a stunning race, this time escaping a tricky pocket at just the right time.
It gave his father, Gary Hall Sr, a remarkable 11th win in the Fremantle Cup. It was Hall Jr’s 10th driving win in the Grand Circuit feature.
“He’s just the best … what more can I say,” Hall Sr said. “He had a plan, stuck to it, backed himself to get out when it mattered and did just that.
“We knew the horse would be electric if sat on the pegs and got a run late because he’s done so much of his racing away from the pegs.
“As I said last week, he’s a really serious horse, this one. He’s second-only to Im Themightyquinn amongst all the good ones I’ve trained.”
Defending champion Catch A Wave led as expected from the pole and Hall Jr pushed through behind him from an inside back row draw (gate 10) to trail.
Team Bond’s big guns, firstly Gee Heza Sport, then Minstrel made early moves around the field to get on the speed.
Minstrel sat outside Catch A Wave and ensured a strong tempo with splits of 29, 28.5, 28.1 and 28.4sec.
Just as Minstrel moved alongside Catch A Wave, Hall Jr was able to edge Gee Heza Sport three-wide from the one-one trail and see open air.
The race was over.
Mister Smartee raced clear to win by 3.5m over a very brave Minstrel with Gee Heza Sport a close third.
Catch A Wave tired late to finish fourth, beaten 14m.
Hall Sr said he was comfortable with his decision not to chase this year’s Inter Dominion at Albion Park in July.
“We thought long and hard, but it’s his first year in the big league and he’s only had 24 starts,” he said.
“He can stay home and aim for the WA Pacing Cup late in the year and then we can travel with him next year. Even a race like the Hunter Cup would suit.”
Team Hall completed a big night with the untapped three-year-old Cyclone Jordy easily winning the Group 3 Caduceus Club Classic.
Another former Kiwi, Cyclone Jordy is unbeaten in nine WA runs. Before that, he raced five times in NZ for three wins and a second.
