by Shane Yates
odd Rattray capped off a memorable season last night at the Luxbet Racing Centre.
The popular Longford trainer-driver enjoyed dual success clinching his first Drivers Premiership Title and finishing runner-up to Ben Yole in the Trainers Award.
Todd and Ben combined in the opening race on the card with the favourite Ultimate Courage leading all the way to victory. The win took Todd’s season tally to 87-wins, moving four clear of his brother Gareth at the top of the table, and the race for the title looked all but over.
But there was to be a further twist in the tale.
Gareth hit back in the following event with Another Swinger, dictating the pace from the outset. Showing he was far from beaten Gareth combined with Melissa Maine in the next with Itz Gemmas Delight. The Bettors Delight-Gueneverslancelot four-year-old mare burst through a needle-eye opening to nail Olivers Mate and Whenthegroundshook. Gareth closed to within one as he guided Tisu Spirit home in the two-year-old for partner Melissa and her mother Sue Maine.
Only one win separated the siblings going into the last race of the season. Gareth sat behind I’m Young Tommy in the Claimer but never looked a winning chance, the challenge was over, and the title Todd’s. A just reward for a remarkable season.
Deborah Willams took one pacer, Olwen Jaccka, to the track in her bid to draw level with Shelley Barnes in the Leading Female Trainer Award. Ricky Duggan settled Olwen Jaccka at the tail of the field and showed his vast experience and mercurial judgement of speed. With the pace well and truly on up front, Ricky didn’t panic, biding his time for one last crack at the leaders. The Mach Three-Our Jaccka five-year-old mare was set alight at the 500-metre mark and unleashed a paralysing burst of speed to cut down the leaders in the stretch.
Deborah and Shelley winding up the season on 22 wins apiece.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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