13 July 2018 | Shane Yates for Tasracing
Todd Rattray celebrated his recent return from injury by driving four winners on the eight-event Launceston Pacing Club programme on Wednesday night.
Along with steering home his first trotting winner in Tasmania with Our Summer Vacation, Todd landed victories with stable runners Koolaz Elvis, Fortino and Yatsenyuk Leis.
Our Summer Vacation ($2.70), coming off back mark of 40-metres not only had to overcome its stiff handicap but also severe interference from the galloping polemarker Tip Top Eurasian shortly after the start and at one point must have been a good 80 to 90 metres off the leader Charlottescrown over the 2698-metre trip.
Rattray, confident he was on the best-credentialled totter in the race, allowed Our Summer Vacation to move into the race under his own steam, tacking onto the tail of the field with 1400 metres to run.
Ricky Duggan moved away from pegs at the bell with All The Way Mae and Rattray was quick to latch onto his back to make his run.
All The Way Mae struck the lead as they ran to the 400-metre pole but Our Summer Vacation was looming large out three wide issuing his challenge.
Straightening for the run to the judge Our Summer Vacation, under a good hold from Todd, went to the front and cruised to the line untouched to win stylishly by 2.8-metres over All The Way Mae and last week’s winner Ten Caisses.
Rattray has some sobering thoughts for Our Summer Vacation’s future rivals when he spoke to Tasracing’s live stream host Duncan Dornauf on his return after the event.
“The check after the start certainly didn’t help his chances but we got a good run in the finish and he’s got a good sprint and we were able to use that up the home straight,” said Todd.
“He’s not liking the tight turns but I think he will get used to it the more racing he does.”
Todd’s four winners boosted his chances of securing back-to-back Drivers Premiership Titles, pushing his lead over Rohan Hillier out to ten.
Koolaz Elvis set the standard of the night for the Rattray stable, saluting the judge after being backed from an opening quote of $5 to start $3.50.
Former Country Cups king Fortino ($2.50f) came off the 10-metre handicap to account for second-elect Sheer Strength by 1.8-metres and followed up with the sensationally backed Yatsenyuk Leis ($1.90 into $1.40) scoring by 8-metres.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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