Rattray takes out Trainer of Year title

Lietinna trainer Kent Rattray, who won the North East Pacing Club Trainer of the Year Award with Rockandahardplace and Colby Sanz who have made the final of this Saturday's prestigious Tasmania Cup.

February 28, 2024

Three North-East horses have qualified for the prestigious $150,000 Tasmania Cup being run in Hobart on Saturday night over 2600m.

Two of those, Colby Sanz and Rockandahardplace, are being prepared for the outing by Lietinna’s Kent Rattray, who on Thursday was named the North East Pacing Club’s Trainer of the Year.

“It’s good to win those things because it keeps our industry in front of the local public – they probably don’t see as many horses as they did 30 years ago over at the track but we are still here participating and we do spend a lot of money in the North-East,” Rattray said.

Bridport’s Rohan Hadley was second in the trainer standings and his horse DeGoey was named Horse of the Year, living up to his namesake, Collingwood star Jordan DeGoey.

DeGoey has also qualified for the Tasmania Cup, raced over 2579m, but did not enter into the final.

Rattray said Colby Sanz, owned by Ringarooma’s Nathan and Sandra Bennett, and Rockandahardplace, leased by Rattray’s son Wade, were standing start specialists over the distance.

“It’s the biggest race for the year in Tassie as a Group 1 race, the only race we run as a Group 1 and there have been some mainland horses come but none of them are that outstanding that if either of these horses lead up they could run a place,” Rattray said of his charges.

Rockandahard place drew well in Tuesday’s barrier draw and will start from position two in the first row and will be drven by John Walters.

Colby Sanz will start in the second row from positon 11 with a driver yet to be confirmed.

“With Rocky’s draw he should go top 4 and will probably be a 20-1 chance.”