News Article

Jaruzelski Leis Rattray’s latest rising star

27 / 04 / 2011 Article by: Editor
Jaruzelski Leis with Todd Rattray aboard about to forge to the lead in Launceston last Sunday night
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MULTIPLE premiership-winning harness trainer Barrie Rattray knows a good horse when it steps into his yard and Jaruzelski Leis is the latest potential star to take up residency at his Karalta pacing Stables at Longford.

Jaruzelski Leis is unbeaten from two starts and both wins have left impressions on both punters and pundits.

The three-year-old’s debut effort to come from last on the home turn at Mowbray and still win running away from his rivals was nothing short of sensational.

At the same venue last Sunday night the gelded son of Bettors Delight raced outside of the leader for the duration but made light of the task to go an score convincingly in a 3A0-3A1 over 2200 metres.

He ran home his last half (800 metres) in 58.4 seconds and driver Todd Rattray said the gelding was not fully extended to win.

Rattray is usually quite reserved when appraising his novice stable tenants but he was quire prepared to talk up the prospects of Jaruzelski Leis.

“We are really pleased with this horse. He’s come on in leaps and bounds this preparation,” Rattray said.

“We’ve always liked him, although in saying that he’s been a bit of a terrorist in that he kicked us out of the cart four or five times as a two-year-old.”

“He trialled well a couple of times as a two-year-old but we had been forced to work him so hard just to get on top of him that we ended up putting him out (for a spell),” he said.

Jaruzelski Leis did well in the spelling paddock and when he returned his attitude to becoming a racehorse had changed.

“When we brought him back into work he was more settled and he was a bit more pleasurable to have around the stable.”

“He’s quite a big horse and that’s not normal being by Bettors Delight (sire) but he is growing into himself and is developing into a very nice horse,” Rattray said.

Jaruzelski Leis (Bettors Delight-Kazakova Leis) is owned by his breeders Trevor and Marjorie Leis who have bred some top class pacers over the years with all being named after famous Russian-European politicians or sports people.

The three-year-old is named after Wojciech Jaruzelski who was the last Communist leader of Poland (1981-85) and he was the last commander-in-chief of the Polish People’s Army.

In May 2005, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded a medal commemorating the 60th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany to Jaruzelski.

Rattray said Jaruzelski Leis’ main mission this campaign would be the Globe Derby Stakes.

“This horse is quite possibly one of the best horses bred by the Leis family.”

“He has only been to the races twice but he has been very impressive and I thought this latest win was with some authority so we will press on to the Globe Derby with a hint of confidence,” Rattray said.