21 October 2022 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Lietinna trainer Kent Rattray is hopeful that Huntsville gelding Karalta Artemis can put it all together when he contests the opening race in Hobart on Friday night.
The two-year-old has been sent out the $1.20 and $2.05 favourite in his last two outings, but has ruined his chances by galloping in the score up.
“I can’t explain why he has been doing it, I have changed a couple of little things, but he is still working well so hopefully we go down and he does the job properly,” said Rattray.
Karalta Artemis has won three trials since his last start on 3 September, doing everything in the desired manner, the most recent trial win was at Carrick Park on 1 October where he dashed home in a 58.0s last half mile.
The pacer was scratched from a trial last Saturday which is of no concern to punters.
“I wanted to run him over 2150 metres, but they moved me back to the two-year-old (over 1670m).
“I wanted to give him a bit more race experience to sit in and run home,” explained Rattray.
Rattray is hopeful of a forward showing on Friday, with his nephew Todd Rattray taking the drive.
“I think if he goes and does everything right he might be too good for that lot, but I know there is a bit of a wrap on Reely Nauti and she did move into the Sweepstakes Final well down the back,” explained the trainer.
The main aim for Karalta Artemis is the $60,000 Dandy Patch which will be held on 20 November, with heats scheduled for 11 November, the first time the two-year-olds go over 2090m for the season.
When asked about his thoughts on the current crop of two-year-olds, Rattray explained he believed there was plenty of depth to the fillies group.
“I think Nyack is the testing material, but I think the fillies show up better than the colts and geldings, there are about four or five fillies that go good.
Meanwhile it is unlikely we will see Kent’s stable star Sunny Sanz until the first heat of the Tassie Golden Apple on 13 November in Launceston.
There is only one race between now and the first heat which the gelding is able to contest, the N.W.T.L.H.A Cup in Burnie on 28 October, which Rattray has reservations on how the pacer will handle the tight 607m track.
A recent Free For All in Launceston was deleted, however the open class ranks are set to be bolstered with the Rohan Hillier-trained duo Ryley Major and Lip Reader both winning trials at Carrick Park last Saturday.
The $50,000 Golden Apple Final will be in Launceston on 3 December, and commences a busy summer and autumn of open class features.
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