Longford trainer-driver Todd Rattray will be well represented in this weekend’s racing, including the Good Friday harness meeting in Hobart on Friday’s dual-code program with the greyhounds, before the big Easter Cup race meeting in Launceston on Saturday night.
Rattray trains and drives two runners on the five-race Hobart card, including Always A Showgirl, in the third race over 2090m.
The Always B Miki three-year-old filly won in Hobart three starts ago and was placed in Launceston last Sunday.
“She has only won one race, and there are horses in there that have won over 20 races. She is still learning how to race, and hopefully, she can keep improving,” said Rattray.
Axe And Deez will line up in the Prydes Easifeed Pace (2090m), where he will be out to go one better after being runner-up at his past two efforts.
“He is always thereabouts. It (barrier six) probably isn’t a good draw for him. We have been trying to teach him how to settle, and he should have won last start (after leading).
Rattray will then turn his attention to the $75,000 Group 3 Ladbrokes Easter Cup in Launceston on Saturday night, where two runners will represent his stable.
Todd’s brother Gareth will partner heat winner Star Major (pictured), and Todd will continue his association with Magician in the 2698m event.
Both horses will start from a 20m handicap.
“I’m pretty happy with the way Star Major is going. The stands and longer distance suit him a lot, so hopefully, if he goes away, he can be up there with them, but the 20m does make it hard.
“He has felt really good this week and felt really sharp. I haven’t done too much with him, but he has probably felt the best he has ever been,” said Todd confidently.
Magician finished runner-up in his heat behind Triedtotellya.
“I was that far back at one stage I didn’t think I would finish up near them. I had to go three wide a lap from home, and in a quick last half, and I thought he was good on the day.
“He will obviously have to bring his manners. He hit his knee pretty solid (two starts ago), and that is why we have put the guiders back on him lately. He was good last start (with them on).
“We haven’t done much with him this week,” the trainer-driver said.
Rattray will also be watching the action at Wagga on Saturday night.
Nyack, whom he formally trained before heading to his brother James in New South Wales, is competing in the $100,000 Group 1 Riverina Championship for Australian Bred 4 and 5-year-old Entires and Geldings.
Nyack won his heat on Tuesday night in a mile rate of 1:53.9s for the 2270m trip, which was the quickest of the two heats.
