Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
The partnership of trainer Justin Prentice and reinsman Gary Hall Jnr continues to flourish, and they combined to win yet another race with smart WA-bred five-year-old Tricky Miki at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Tricky Miki, the $1.80 favourite, began swiftly from the No. 1 barrier in the $31,000 Pat Cranley Memorial Free-For-All over 2536m before setting a solid pace and holding on to win by a metre from the fast-finishing $6 chance Jumpingjackmac.
“He went good, but he usually travels a bit stronger,” said Hall. “He was off the bit and didn’t show his customary let-down turn of speed. I thought at the top of the straight that Jack (Jumpingjackmac) had him, but he did a good job to fight him off.
“I think that Tricky Miki can certainly improve on what he is doing. He has always had gaiting issues. Being at this level with another year under his belt I think you will see a slightly better version of him.
“He can be quite tough to get over when he’s in front. He should make his presence felt in Free-For-Alls for a few more years.”
Prentice picked out Tricky Miki at the 2020 Perth APG yearling sale when he purchased him for $57,500. The Always B Miki gelding is now raced by Prentice and a syndicate of eight stable clients. His win on Friday night took his record to 38 starts for 14 wins, ten placings and $566,556.