She rode the big four-year-old New Zealand-bred Justcallmemiki, prepared by champion trainers Greg and Skye Bond, to an effortless victory in the footrace in the $31,000 Ashes Test Match Then To The Trots Pace over 2536 meters at Gloucester Park on Friday evening.
“It was a really good run after a pretty soft lead time (69.3 sec),” said Roberts. Justcallmemiki, the $1.80 favourite, started quickly from the outside at barrier seven and charged to the front after 700 meters before setting the pace and beating his stablemate Gee Heza Sport ($2.75) by just under three lengths, with a rating of 1.57.9 after the final quarters of 28.4 seconds. and 27.7 sec.
“We came out more comfortable than I expected,” Roberts said. “He felt so good at the front, and if he could pull even to take the lead in the Pacing Cup, he would run a really fast time at the front. He did it so easily tonight.”
CALL MEMIKI REPEAT
Justcallmemiki won in four of his 12 starts in New Zealand and his seven wins and two seconds from 12 WA appearances have taken his career record to 24 starts for 11 wins, four placings and a stake of $250,487.
He is an American father Always b Miki and is the fifth foal of Mach Three mare Famous Alchemist, who earned $322,869 from 16 wins and 16 placings from 51 starts. Her 11 wins in WA include the Group 3 WASBA Breeders Stakes in May 2014.
Gee Heza Sport also performed an excellent cup test. He started from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line and settled into the last position in the field of twelve before Stuart McDonald sent him forward after a round with a burst of three wide to go to the wind.
He battled on bravely to finish second, and McDonald said he would love to ride the seven-year-old in the Pacing Cup.
“He did really well tonight,” McDonald said. “He has a good track record in big races where he is probably better off not being among the favourites, and that means he could be a bit of a sniper. I think that is his best role when he goes against Magnificent Storm, Minstrel and Mister Smartee.”
McDonald was a shining light in the sulky on Friday evening, scoring a treble with Chasing Rex (trained by Gary Hall jnr), and the Gary Hall senior-trained Mister Smartee and Her Presence, finishing second with Gee Heza Sport and third with Madam Publisher.
“Chasing Rex went great in the Golden Nugget last week (finishing eighth) and I’ve been looking after him for the last two weeks when Junior was in New Zealand,” McDonald said after riding Chasing Rex ($1.30) to a one-length win over the fast-finishing Flyin Disco ($26) in the 2130m Camel Time After The Cricket Pace.
Chasing Rex shot to the front after about 500 meters and then won comfortably with a speed of 1.57.2 after a final quarter of 28.5 seconds.
Her Presence ($4) enjoyed a perfect trip in the one-out, one-back position before finishing strongly to win the 2130m Free Entry After The Cricket Pace by two lengths ahead of pacesetter Stormyskyes ($4.20).
For full race results, click here.
Through Ken Casellasfor Gloucester Park
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