Tasmanian trainer- driver James Rattray now stationed in New South Wales had a great night at Tabcorp Park Menangle last Saturday night, driving three winners. Tasmanian bred five year old gelding Blue Pointer ($3.60) won the opening race of the night, the $12,000 TAB.com.au Pace. Driven hard early from his wide draw Blue Pointer took up the running after a 26.7 first quarter, leading for the rest of the mile to score by 1.6 metres, covering the distance in 1:53.9. Blue Pointer has now won two races at Menangle for owner Barry Stewart, and trainer -driver James Rattray. The gelding is by Four Starzzz Shark from Penciller, a daughter of Bookmaker.
Modern Ruler (4.90) gave James’ his second win in the Garrards Horse & Hound Pace, the second race on the programme. Modern Ruler has only been in the Rattray stable a few days, but showed his liking for the big Menangle circuit by sitting outside the leader till the turn for home where he shot away to win easily by nine metres. Modern Ruler covered the 2,300 metres at a 1:55.9 rate, he also won the previous week at Melton when driven by his owner-trainer Steve Davis. He is a six year old gelding by Modern Art from Lady in Charge by Fake Left. Later in the night James won the feature race, the $50,000 NSW Trotters Oaks with the New Zealand bred My Arya ($1.40 fav.) for trainer B.A. Lilley. My Arya led for most of the journey.
Over at Globe Derby Park, Adelaide veteran Tasmanian pacer Sky Tower led all the way in a Claiming Pace recording his first South Australian win since being bought out of a Tasmanian claimer. Sky Tower reached a milestone that not many pacers have reached as it took his prizemoney over the $200,000 mark. He has had 162 starts for 29 wins and 57 placings, his best win in Tasmania was the2010 Devonport Cup. Sky Tower is a ten year old gelding by Panorama, a noted sire of long lasting pacers.
By Peter Cooley