Mr Miki trying to go back-to-back at Manawatu

By Jordyn Bublitz 

Mr Miki made the ideal start to the Manawatu meeting on Tuesday, and the improving gelding now looks a genuine chance to complete the double when he steps out again on Thursday.

The five-year-old son of Always B Miki took out the Cartown Mobile Pace in confident fashion, benefitting from a drop in grade after tackling a much stronger field on Flying Miles night at Cambridge Raceway, where he finished fifth in a race run at a slick 1:55 mile rate.

Trainer Brendon Laidlaw said the trip south was a deliberate move to give the gelding a more suitable opportunity.

“We wanted to try come down to the Manawatu and get away from those really fast horses that he’s been up against, get a bit of confidence in him.”

Starting from barrier eight on the second row, Mr Miki enjoyed a cosy run throughout for driver Kate Coppins, settling three-back on the fence. From there, Coppins showed sharp judgement in the straight, threading through a narrow gap to lift the gelding to a comfortable three-quarter length victory.

“He hit the line really well, and Kate was rapt with him, it was a good win,” Laidlaw said.

“It was a really patient drive from Kate. Once they pushed through the gap she said she didn’t even have to turn the stick.

“He’s always had a turn of foot, so long as he gets a nice run in behind, he can get home quite well.”

The performance carried extra merit given the quick back-up from his previous run, and Laidlaw feels the gelding is continuing to put things together on race-day.

“He's turning into quite a professional race horse. Early on he got a few things wrong, but we’ve ironed them out so here's hoping we can get a few more wins on the board.”

Off the track, Mr Miki has also become a firm stable favourite.

“He's a great horse to have around, my son Archie helps bring him in from the paddock, helps gear him up and wash him down, so it's nice for him to be a part of the fun too.

“We've got a great couple of owners in him, Chris and Kim McLeod, who always come to Alex Park when he races there and they just love the racing game.”

Attention now turns to Thursday’s Support Poppy Day Mobile Pace, where Mr Miki again faces a second-row assignment, this time from barrier nine, following out last-start winner Upton.

While the draw presents its challenges, Laidlaw is confident his gelding can measure up again if things fall into place, with a similar economical trip in mind.

“I think he could almost win again with a bit of luck.

“If he can sit in the running line and be driven cold, hopefully Kate can just do the same with him and just have one run at them.”