Kiwi-breds dominate in Perth Group Two

Mister Smartee (NZ) (Always B Miki) led home a New Zealand-bred first four when taking out the Group Two James Brennan Memorial (2536m) at Gloucester Park on Friday night. 

In another dominant display at the Perth track, the five-year-old gelding burnt off the gate and was taken straight to the lead by driver Stuart McDonald where he was never headed and went on to win by 2.2m over fellow Kiwi-bred Minstrel (NZ) (Rocknroll Hanover). 

It was Mister Smartee’s second successive win in the race, having won last year’s edition by 4.5m over Sangue Reale (Art Major).
The Gary Hall Snr-trained gelding was bred by Dancingonmoonlight Limited and he was offered through their 2021 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale draft at Christchurch where he was purchased by trainer Craig Edmonds for $32,500.

He had two starts in New Zealand as a two-year-old for Edmonds, finishing runner-up at Addington Raceway on debut before returning to the Christchurch track to post his maiden victory.

He was subsequently sold to clients of Hall Snr, and he has proven to be an astute purchase, going on to win a further 19 races, 10 of those at Group level, including the Group One 4YO Golden Nugget (2536m), Group One Freemantle Cup (2936m) and Gr.1 The Nullarbor (2536m).