Rue ready to bounce

Bathurst harness racing trainer-driver Mat Rue always looks forward to this time of year, especially when it comes to the big races.

Rue has eighteen horses in training and produced his grand campaigner Fouroeight for his first start in six months at Dubbo last Friday night where the gelding finished third in the Quamby Stayers Cup over the 2525 metre trip, beaten by just over eight metres behind Aphorism and Atomic Red.

The winner of 26 races and over $270,000 in stakes, Fouroeight will now contest the $50,000 Group 2 Shirley Turnbull Memorial over the 2790 metres on Boxing night.

“We were incredibly happy with his run at Dubbo on Friday night. Tom (Pay, driver) said he got up on the steel which did not help his cause, but I was still pleased with the way he charged to the line,” Rue explained.

“On paper, I expected the horses that beat him home last Friday to do so as they had fitness on their side after campaigning in the Inter Dominion series, so it was a great measuring stick to see where my bloke was at.

“The Shirley Turnbull Memorial is a race I always like to contest. This bloke has had two cracks at it for a third and fourth and although it is a strong field this year, I feel that he will be more than competitive.

“At Bathurst tonight, I am stepping Pamelonne out for the first time. She is a Kiwi mare that had her first trial for me last week and I am very keen to see what she can do on race night. She has an awkward draw (gate 9) but hopefully I can get her into the running line early and then weigh things up from there.

“She is owned by Harvey Kaplin who is one of my best supporters. He bred and raced her in New Zealand and now hopes she can post a fast time out here to enhance her credentials as a broodmare proposition.

“I have another horse in the same race namely Mighty Atom who was an impressive winner last time out. But he steps up in grade tonight and is better driven off pace so he will be looking for a sit.

“Coastal Girl (race 1) is a filly that has won two for me and will keep improving with racing.”

To view the fields for Bathurst on Wednesday click here.

To view the fields for Bathurst on Sunday click here.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW