By Adam Hamilton
JAMES Rattray is a happy man.
His champion pacer Beautide has been given the all-clear to “get really serious” in training again and Rattray has just returned from a fact-finding Perth trip where he spotted some ideal Inter Dominion training spots.
“I feeling better than I did last week on every level,” Rattray said. “Beau’s been coming along really well, but I just wanted to get the leg scanned again before really stepping-up his work.
“With a horse like him you need the peace of mind to after the problems he’s had to really pump the work into him.
“The scans looked really good and it’s full steam ahead now.”
Rattray said Beautide would be trialling within a month and racing by late October.
“The plan is to give him a couple of runs at Menangle before heading to Perth,” he said.
“Mick (Radley, Gloucester Park CEO) tells me there will be a direct flight to Perth two weeks before the heats so that’s the one he’ll be on.”
Rattray spoke at length with Radley during a three-day trip to Perth last week, which resulted in him driving at Gloucester Park last Friday and winning two for trainer Michael Brennan.
“The wins were a bonus. It was really all about looking at possible bases to train Beau from during the Inters,” Rattray said.
“I didn’t finalise one, but the good thing is there are plenty of really good options.”
Rattray whizzed back to Menangle to train and drive a double with the emerging Modern Ruler and Roger Ramjet on Saturday night.
Modern Ruler continues to impress and could join Beautide and other stablemates Davendra and Blue Pointer at the Inter Dominion.
“Modern Ruler’s absolutely flying and running really quick times, so I’m going to take him to Queensland next month for the two big races. He deserves that chance,” Rattray said.
“If he goes well in Queensland, there’s plenty of time to get him back home and take him to Perth with the others.”
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