CHAMPION Tasmanian reinsman Gareth Rattray is within striking distance of breaking his father Barrie ‘s driving record of 118 winners in a season.
Gareth Rattray drove a treble at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart tonight to take his season tally to 114 and only four off his father’s record of 118 that he set in the 1989-90 season.
His first win arrived early in the night aboard the Ian Swain-trained three-year-old Saab Quality that led all the way to take out the Kevin Mackay Stakes over 1609m.
Biggernbettermax produced a tough performance to win the Alan Brock 3YO coming from the rear midrace to face the breeze and then powered home to win well.
Rattray’s treble came courtesy of a clever drive aboard Artifice that came from last at the bell to win full of running over Sing And Dance and Arkabe Jewel.
Being so close to breaking his father’s long-standing record with two meetings to go, young Rattray said he is keen to wrest the record from “the old man”.
“When you get this close to breaking a record obviously it plays on your mind a bit,” Rattray said.
“I went close two seasons back when I got 111 so I’ve at least broken my own record but to get the record of Dad would be great,” he said.
Rattray said he is uncertain how many drives he will have in Launceston next Sunday night but he admitted he will be trying to get on the right horses.