The first heats of the 2025 Fehlbergs Produce 2YO Sweepstakes headline Sunday’s nine-race card in Hobart.
After an early scratching, only four runners are set to line up in the first heat of the fillies division, while the colts and geldings heat features 10 runners, with five of them being last-start winners.
Two of those, Rainbow Ranger (photo) and Qualify, are from the Todd Rattray stable.
Todd will drive Rainbow Ranger, given that he is part-owner of the Bettors Delight colt who broke through for his maiden win in Launceston on 6 July.
“We always thought he had a bit of ability. He has worked well at home, he just probably hasn’t shown it yet, and I had been disappointed with his runs before his win last start.
“He had a good run (behind the leader), and would have run a quick quarter, and I was happy with him,” said Rattray, with the Tasracing Calculated sectionals recording the pacer’s individual last quarter in 27.14s
“I’m not sure if he can cross (Hey Franco in barrier one), but he is in the running line, so he won’t have to do too much. Hopefully, he gets a good run and makes the final,” said the trainer driver.
Rattray has given driving responsibilities of his other stable runner, Qualify, to Hall of Fame reinsman Ricky Duggan.
The Poster Boy gelding has drawn outside of the second line, and broke through for his maiden win at his third race start when leading all the way in Launceston on 22 June.
“He finally got a draw where he could find the front, and he went pretty good.
“When he is back in the field, he can play around a bit and can be hard to steer. The draw doesn’t help him on Sunday, but hopefully he can make the final and get a good draw in that, as he is a different horse in front,” said Rattray.
Further heats of the Sweepstakes are scheduled for 25 July, before the $30,000 Finals on Saturday night 2 August, with that meeting featuring the $80,000 Beautide, with the winner of that race securing Tasracing’s slot on the world’s richest harness race, the $2.1 TAB Eureka at Menangle on 6 September.
