LEADING Tasmanian trainer Barrie Rattray clinched his fifth North-East Pacing Cup (2692m) when his son Gareth guided one of the stable favourites Biggernbettermax to victory at Scottsdale last Friday night.
It was a convincing win by the five-year-old gelded son of Modern Art that was given the run of the race to come with a powerful finish in the home straight to overhaul race leader Camivell Rock, scoring by 2-1/2 metres with Land Of Panaam only a half-head astern after enduring a tough run throughout.
“We had a nice run in the race and we got out at the right time and that was the telling factor,” Gareth Rattray said.
Biggernbettermax has been a model of consistency throughout his career with this his 11th win from 31 starts and he also has notched 15 minor placings for prize money of over $65,000.
The gelding is owned and raced in partnership by the Rattray Family Trust and long-time stable client Ian Dunham.
Dunham was thrilled with this latest win as he has been involved in harness racing as an owner for over 40 years and this is his first cup victory.
“It’s very exciting to win a race like this,” Dunham said.
While it was Rattray’s fifth North-East Pacing Cup victory, Carrick Pacing Club chairman Kent Stagg clinched his first winner in about five years when Brain Snap scored a convincing win over Rohan’s Thunder and Beaudiene Delight in the J Boags & Son Pace over 1955 metres.
Brain Snap was well backed and when driver Craig Toulmin eased out to make his charge nearing the home turn the crowd erupted.
Stagg, who was a successful trainer, bought the gelding from Victorian trainer Tony Pullicino for only $1600 and prepared the gelding for one preparation without success.
But Stagg’s plumbing business blossomed so he had to stop training and handed the horse over to his neighbour Andrew Jarman to train.
Stagg said the horse had limited ability but had the potential to win another one or two.
Brain Snap is likely to have his next start in a standing start race at Burnie next Friday night.