OFTEN is the case when horses are put on notice that they are on their last chance to perform they somehow produce an effort to ensure they remain in the stable.
Such was the case with grey gelding Atreat that delivered the goods at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart on Sunday.
His trainer Vicki Rhind was becoming tired of the gelding’s lack of enthusiasm on the racetrack so she opted to try new gear as a last resort.
If the gear change had not worked Atreat was to be sacked and heading for a life as a pony club hack.
But the gelded son of Dash For Cash produced the goods with a convincing win in a maiden/class one handicap over 1600 metres.
With stable apprentice Jacques Luxe aboard, Atreat was ridden more forward than usual to settle midfield on the rails. Atreat improved steadily along the rails from the 650m-metre peg and turning for home he hit the front and was never headed on his way to a half-length win over A Touch Of Shades with the favourite In The Chapel 2-1/2 lengths away third.
Listen to what trainer Vicki Rhind had to say about Atreat’s win on Sunday – click here .