Sweet night on track for Rattray

It was a great night at the office for Longford harness racing trainer Todd Rattray, who claimed three of the feature races in Hobart on Saturday night (Sep. 3).

Rattray kicked off the night in winning style when Nyack took out the Listed Cavalor Equine Colts and Geldings Sweepstakes Final.

Showing good manners, the gelded son of Sweet Lou was forced to race outside the leader, but the task was made easier when race favourite Karalta Artemis broke in the score up and put himself out of contention.

“It helped when Karalta Artemis galloped again, but to do it in the breeze and run a half in 57s, he has done a good job,” said Rattray post-race.

“We think he is pretty quick, we will see how strong he is later on,’ said Rattray, with the pacer no doubt being set for the Group 2 Dandy Patch in November.

Nyack’s dam Benediction won the fillies division of the race in 2010, while his half-brother Kohanah won the race in 2019.

Rattray was expected to win the Metropolitan Cup with race favourite Harjeet, but it was his half-brother, less fancied stable mate Izaha (Roll With Joe) scoring at odds of $41.

Driven by Liam Older, who was celebrating his 18th birthday and was given a great present with his biggest win in the sulky.

“My plan was always to sit in and give him a soft run,” said Older post-race.

“I thought I would let a few of the tougher ones do all the work, and they all pulled out wide around the turn, and we were lucky to get under a few around the bend and be too fast for them late.

The other feature race win for the Rattray stable was with Magician, who produced his magic again to score in the Cavalor Equine 3YO Spring Championship Final.

Driven by Gareth Rattray, the Sweet Lou gelding had to pull out all stops late to record a narrow win in a blanket finish that saw only a half-neck separate the first four placegetters.

“He took a bit of driving, but he got the job done,” said Gareth after the event

“He is still learning to race, he probably couldn’t see them (with the block blinkers on), and when he did, he kicked again.

“He is still green but the talent is there,” added the driver.

Magician has now won three of his six starts, and he will be a strong contender for the Group 2 Globe Derby in November.

For complete race results and replays, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing