02 March 2020 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Last season’s Tasmanian two-year-old colt and gelding of the year, Colby Sanz recorded his first feature race win as a three-year-old last night when he took out the $12,000 Tasmanian Guineas at Ladbrokes Park in Hobart.
The Kent Rattray-trained pacer worked forward to find the lead quite cheaply at the 1700 metre mark and from there he was able to enjoy some soft sectionals including a 64.1s first half of the final mile which was good to see after the gelded son of Betterthancheddar was inclined to over race outside the leader in his start prior in Devonport.
“Once he pops in front, he will run whatever you like,” explained trainer Kent Rattray after the win.
“We got to the front and got a couple of good quarters and he just keeps boxing on,” added Rattray.
The Tasmanian Derby on 14 March is the pacers next assignment and the longer distance of 2579 metres isn’t concerning his trainer.
“We have said all along that a mile and a quarter, mile and a half will be his caper and he proved that tonight,” said the Litennia based trainer.
The Derby in the past has seen a number of nice horse’s head across for the three-year-old feature and Rattray is hopeful the gelding can measure up.
“We hope he can (measure up), we will have to wait and see, there was a couple of very nice horses there tonight that have had a crack at him but couldn’t get him … we would love a nice draw in the Derby and pop on top again,” said Rattray whose father Wayne trained 1997 Tasmanian Derby winner Admiral Karalta.
Driver Gareth Rattray was happy with how the pacer responded over the concluding stages.
“He ran his first half in 64.1 (seconds), he dropped the bit and relaxed in front but once another horse got beside him, he got going and I pulled the earplugs and he responded well,” said the master reinsman.
“He was just fighting them off, he is more a tough customer than a speed horse,” added Gareth.
Soho Senna ran a brave race to only be defeated a head with the race favourite Kohanah 4.7 metres away third.
Smiley Lad was the last horse to complete the Tasmanian Guineas-Derby double in 1983.
The $30,000 Group 3 Tasmanian Derby will be held on Tasmania Cup night on 14 March.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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