Mister Smartee wins the Golden Nugget. Photo by Pacepix
COULD Gary Hall Sr have another Im Themightyquinn?
OK, that’s a huge call, but the champion WA trainer insists his latest star, former Kiwi pacer Mister Smartie, is second-only to “Quinny” as the best horse he’s trained.
Mister Smartie, who has two starts for Craig and Aimee Edmonds in NZ for a win and a second, took his record to 15 wins from 18 starts when he toyed with his rivals in last Friday night’s $200,000 Group 1 Golden Nugget (2536m) at Gloucester Park.
Despite sitting outside his main danger, Never Ending, Mister Smartee cruised to a 3.6m win and ripped home in 55.7sec.
It moved his part-owner and renowned WA form analyst Glen Moore to declare the gelding a potential champion.
“Glen said he’s better than Chicago Bull, who would be second-best of all the top pacers I’ve trained … I was a bit shocked, but now I think about it, I’d agree,” Hall Sr said.
“He’s untapped and bottomless, but he’s got speed, too.
“Think what he’s done in just 18 starts and he’s still learning. When he hits the front by a length, he sort of switches off and waits for them.”
Hall Sr, a veteran at 75, admitted the horse was a blessing.
“Yes, because at this stage of my career I didn’t think I’d get another one this good, another one I could travel (interstate and potentially to NZ) with and know he’ll hold his own,” he said.
“I don’t know whether he could beat Leap To Fame, but he’s already as good as anything else and still with room to improve.”
Hall Sr signalled an intention to take on Leap To Fame in the next Inter Dominion at Albion Park in July, next year.
But first Mister Smartee will have a spell and return to target two huge local features – the $1.25mil Nullarbor and $350,000 Fremantle Cup – at Gloucester Park in April.
“He’ll have about four to five weeks out,” he said.
“The timing for the (Albion Park) Inter Dominion works well because he can go to the two big races here, then have a freshen-up and get ready for Queensland.
“It’s not ideal the long trip, but he’s good enough and I want to support a club who is getting some proper prize money back into the Inter Dominion with a $1 million final.
“It’s so important for the (future of) the race that these next three Inter Dominions are big and successful and I’ll do my part to support them with a horse I think can be a major player.”
