Quarteira made an impressive racetrack debut when recording a 22m win in the Ladbrokes Popular SRM Pace (1680m) at Launceston’s Ladbrokes Racing Centre Mowbray on Sunday afternoon.
The Todd Rattray-trained and driven three-year-old gelding drew barrier seven, with Rattray taking bad luck quickly out of the equation, working forward to find the spot outside the leader at the 1000m.
Quarteira ($3.90) took over at the top of the straight and raced away for an effortless win, defeating Little Cappuccina ($16) and Charli Pippen ($1.80 fav) in a mile rate of 1:58.0s.
“Obviously he’s taken a while to get to the races, and to finally get in there and get a win like that was worth all the wait,” said Rattray post-race.
“He had a little bit of an issue, nothing serious. We just gave him time and looked after him, and when the family owns him, you don’t have to rush him too much.
“I thought he always felt pretty strong at home, so I thought if I’m up there, I don’t have to steer him as much.
“He took a little bit of steering through the corner, but once he straightened up, he went alright,” he added.
Quarteira is by Downbytheseaside and is out of the Major In Art mare Fuscienne, who is a half-sister to dual Inter Dominion winner Beautide.
Rattray indicated Quarteira would remain lightly raced, with the Globe Derby Stakes later in the year his main target.
“We probably won’t rush him, but that’ll be our main aim,” he said.
The win was the first leg of a driving double for Todd, who partnered Atomic Black ($3.80) to a narrow win in the Tassie Wash Stakes (1680m).
Atomic Black is trained by Charlie Castles, who trained and drove first-race winner Pogacar ($4.20).
Brodie Davis also recorded a driving double, with Letsgobro ($10) and Weona Eagle ($21) both overcoming wide front-row draws to score.
Gareth Rattray was the standout driver on the program, scoring a treble aboard A Dragon For Joe ($2.30 fav), Everything But The ($4.40) and Jeremy Wells ($3.10 fav).
The win of Jeremy Wells provided his trainer, Wayne Yole, with his 400th career training win. He ended the day with a double, with Go The Red ($1.24 fav) winning the Victory Images Photography Stakes.
