Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
New Zealand-bred gelding Tricky Ric gave further proof that he is the State’s best square gaiter when he strolled to victory in the $20,250 Westside Auto Wholesale Trot over 2536m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“He’s the best trotter here and he will be set for the $50,000 Trotters Cup on February 3,” said champion trainer Gary Hall Snr after his son Gary Jnr had guided the $1.90 favourite to a comfortable victory over $51 outsider Luvaflair to extend his winning sequence to nine.
Tricky Ric started from the outside in the field of eight in which his most serious rival was the $2.35 second fancy Midnight Assassin, who lost his chance by galloping at the start. Tricky Ric raced three wide early before Hall sent him to the front after 550m.
The Trotters Cup is a stand over 2503m, and Tricky Ric is expected to be handicapped off the 30m mark.
Tricky Ric has now won nine races in succession, and he has earned $186,567 from 16 wins and 11 placings from 44 starts. He finished third behind majestic Dream in the Trotters Cup last January, and since then he has had 13 starts for 11 wins, one second and one tenth placing.
“He is a good stand and mobile trotter,” said Hall Snr, with the win completing a stable double, following Diego’s success earlier in the night.
For Hall Jnr it was his fourth winner on the night, coming after victories with Eton Rock, Firerockfireroll and Eighteen Carat.