TASMANIAN harness racing trainer James Rattray has the chance to enter the record books as one of the great mentors of all time if his gelding Devendra can emerge triumphant in the Inter Dominion final at Gloucester Park in Perth today.
Rattray, who has established a training complex in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, trained his stable star Beautide to win the past two Inter Dominions but it is another Tasmanian pacer bred by his parents Barrie and Denise Rattray that could give him the unique treble.
The Bettors Delight gelding won his opening round heat followed by a creditable fifth in the second round at Bunbury but his win in the last round of heats had bookmakers running for cover as they tried to lay off, especially those who offered ridiculous odds before the series started.
Rattray says Devendra has surfaced from his three heats in great order and while he has drawn awkwardly in barrier eight next to the outside of the front row (9) he believes his charge is capable of winning.
“I have spent a bit of time with him in the water while he’s been here and he seems to thrive on that so other than a bit of fast work this week he’s been kept nice and fresh by working at the beach and in the estuary.”
“He is very keen to get into the float to go to the beach where I jump on his back and ride.”
“It’s something he’s never done before and I think that has definitely helped him stay fresh mentally while he’s been here,” he said.
Devendra has been a slight drifter from $10 to $11 but that could change dramatically come race start time which is 5.50 pm Eastern Standard Time.
“There is no doubt from the draw Lennytheshark deserves to be favourite but Philadelphia Man’s driver (Gavin Lang) has some options open to him from gate four and from what we hear the pole marker Lovers Delight will lead at all costs,” Rattray said.