By Adam Hamiltion
JAMES Rattray has conceded it is “extremely unlikely” two-time champ Beautide will tackle the Perth Inter Dominion.
Although pleased with the nine-year-old’s progress on the comeback trail, Rattray favours staying at home.
“He looks bright and seems really sharp on the track,” he said. “I’ve really just nominated for Perth so the option is there.
“If he comes back and is absolutely flying, I’d love to know we have that option, but, at this stage, it’s a lot more likely I’ll just pick some races for him around here.
“He loves the (Menangle) track so much and any travel increases your risk of things going wrong.
“The early signs are he could still be competitive with the best, but taking them on at home is probably our best chance.”
Rattray toyed with trialling Beautide this week.
“I’m going to wait and trial him next Tuesday (at Menangle) instead. We’re not really in any rush,” he said.
Beautide hasn’t raced since a second at Menangle on April 9 and has only raced nine times since winning his second Sydney Inter Dominion final on March 1, 2015.
JUST when it seemed the loveable Messini was struggling, he regained winning form in Melton last Saturday night.
The former star juvenile had been just fair in five runs this campaign, but made the most of a lovely Anthony Butt drive and survived a protest to snare the Preux Chevalier free-for-all (2240m).
In a driving finish, Messini won by a nose from the classy Major Crocker, but it went to the stewards’ room before being dismissed.
It was a hotly-contested race with a 1min54.2sec mile rate, a career-best for Messini.
The Brent Lilley-trained six-year-old’s record is now 60 starts for 21 wins, 19 placings and almost $520,000 in earnings.
Major Crocker’s run was enormous from last, while dual Inter Dominion placegetter Flaming Flutter some much needed improvement for third spot.
It won’t be long before Jilliby Jagger is contesting those free-for-alls judging by his blazing win in the fifth race on the same night.
Trained and driven by Glen Craven, Jilliby Jagger only won by a whisker but paced a flying 1min51.9sec mile rate for 1720m.
Just back to Messini, he was the second leg of a double on the night to Lilley, who also won the Group 3 Maoris Idol Trotters’ free-for-all with the very much in-form veteran Kyvalley Blur.
The US-bred nine-year-old is in career-best form and should be sold short if Lilley takes him to NZ for Cup time.
JUST when it looked like the “old boy” was struggling, Destreos has found form again.
The 13-year-old posted his 91st win at Menangle last Tuesday and paced a slick 1min52.9sec mile in the process.
After going winless in 12 runs in his home state of Queensland, trainer Ken Rattray hit the road with Destreos and stablemate Funny Boy for a working holiday at Menangle.
Destreos opened his raid with a slashing second to Iam Mr Brightside in a strong free-for-all at Menangle last Saturday week.
The gelding thrives on the quick back-up and did it again last Tuesday when he beat Funny Boy by a half-head at Menangle with Luke McCarthy taking the reins.
Destreos has raced an unbelievable 415 times for 91 wins, 129 placings and earned over $750,000.
He backed-up quickly again last Saturday night for a battling sixth over the unsuitably long 2300m in a strong Menangle free-for-all won by Iam Mr Brightside.
ANOTHER Melton meeting, another big night for the Emma Stewart/Clayton Tonkin barn.
They were expected to win the $50,000 Group 2 Home Grown 3YO final and did so, but not with the pacer punters hoped.
Orphan foal Rocknroll Icon was the hot favourite, but had to be content with third to his stablemate Sirletic, a son of Rocknroll Hanover.
Not much went right for Rocknroll Icon in a flying 1min53.7sec mile rate for 1720m and his effort to finish third was outstanding.
The fillies’ equivalent went to Russell Jack’s Gracie Angel, who led, took a trail and then used the sprint lane for David Moran to win in a 1min55.7sec mile rate.
Stewart and Tonkin landed a treble on the night with their mares Miley Rose and Whereibylong also winning well.
LUCK went his way, but Bettors Fire continues to build nicely for the Perth Inter Dominion.
The eight-year-old posted his third successive win – and third win from four runs this campaign – when he found the front, dictated and ripped home in 56.0 and 27.2sec to win the Spring Pace (2130m) at Gloucester Park last Friday night.
The race changed dramatically when hot favourite Elegant Christian, considered a certain leader by most, made an early mistake which enabled Bettors Fire to lead and take control.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
