Trainer Todd Rattray has a two-pronged attack for Launceston’s richest race of the season, The LAFM Beautide (2200m) on Saturday night at the Ladbrokes Racing Centre, Mowbray.
Rattray will drive the recent Raider Stakes placegetter Preparation, with Ethan Arnott continuing his association with Unmatched, who hit the line well out wide to finish 6.6m behind Hungry Hippo in the Raider Stakes.
Both horses will have to overcome second-row draws, with Unmatched drawing 10 (but will start from nine if the second emergency doesn’t gain a start) and Preparation starting from 11.
“If Preparation had found the front (in the Raider Stakes), it might have been a different story,” Rattray said.
The Lather Up gelding, has won four of his 17 starts.
“He’s probably had a couple of things cost him in some of his races, like hanging and playing up a little bit. He’s just one of those immature horses who needs a bit of racing, or a bit of time.
“Hopefully, he can put everything together on Saturday,” the trainer-driver explained.
Unmatched has won five races, including the Latrobe Cup five starts ago.
“He went back from a wide draw and was too far back in the Raider Stakes, but hopefully he’s not as far back this time,” Rattray said.
“He’s got the back row, so he doesn’t have to do much work early (with a trailing draw in the running line), and I think he’ll get a better run without having to dodge as much traffic.
“They’ll both need a lot of luck. There are some pretty handy three-year-olds, Hungry Hippo went well in the Raider Stakes, and Barbary Tales goes well, so everything will have to go their way,” the trainer said.
Rattray already knows what it takes to win the Beautide, having prepared Magician to claim the inaugural running in 2023.
The seven-year-old returns in Saturday night’s $20,000 Darrel Rockliff Graduate, the open-class race of the program.
Magician has barrier six and will race for the first time since the Tasmania Cup heat held in Hobart on 13 February, where he finished down the track.
“He’s been working pretty well. We’ve changed a few things with him, and he’s done a fair bit of work.
“I haven’t got anything at home that can work with him up to racing standard, and there hasn’t been anything suitable to trial him against at his level.
“Whatever he does, I definitely think he’ll improve,” said Todd, who also trains Cuzzy Bro in the race, with his brother Gareth taking the drive.
Todd could also have another open-class performer back in Tasmania for the summer, with discussions continuing over the possible return of Inter Dominion placegetter Nyack for races including the Tasmania and Hobart Cups, which have both been moved to December.
“I wouldn’t say it’s out of the question. It’s something being discussed with James,” said Todd.
