“Dad was looking down on us”
Connections of Alby Two Chains driven by Dylan Ford and trained by Tammy Langley after claiming the McLaughlin Family NEPC Cup.
January 15, 2025
An interstate horse claimed victory in the $20,000 McLaughlin Family North East Cup, as one local trainer secured two wins in support races at Scottsdale Recreation Ground on Friday night.
Melbourne-based Alby Two Chains, owned by John “Bulldog” Nicholson, trained by Brighton-based Tammy Langley and driven by Tammy’s son Dylan Ford, claimed the major prize.
He paid $2.25 for the win ahead of the Rohan Hillier-trained Windy Hanover with the Yole-trained, New Zealand-bred Diamonds N Cash finishing third.
But it was the two races either side of the feature that had special meaning for NEPC President Kent Rattray, whose dad Wayne died last October.
Rattray’s Colby Sanz driven by Kayleb Williams off 10m paid $6.50 for the win in the fifth race, while Karalta Artemis, driven by John Walters also off 10m, paid $6.50 as he took out the seventh and final race on the night.
Rattray said his dad was looking down over the family race fortunes that evening.
“When it came to deciding on where to spread dad’s ashes – we threw up between the winning post at Scottsdale and the footy ground at Ringarooma and we spread his ashes on November 23 at the finishing post,” he said.
“If anyone was looking down on Friday night it was him. Mum (Gaye) was in tears. It was a good way to end the evening.
“Karalta Artemis was bred by dad on his farm at Jetsonville and he was one of the last foals he bred and was his pride and joy.
“Colby Sanz hadn’t won for over 12 months so we were pleased to get a win for him and for Snowy (owner Nathan Bennett).
“Rockandahardplace ran alright in the Cup but was a run underdone and hasn’t been well, but he will be better for the run.
“Two wins out of three ain’t bad.’
The Twilight Trots saw $68,000 distributed across the night, making it one of the richest country cups in Tasmania.
Around 1000 people enjoyed the annual spectacle which was this year free to enter.
“We were racing against Launceston gallops at the same time slot so I reckon we lost a few punters to that, so the crowd was down on last year, but overall it was a great night and everyone enjoyed themselves.
“There were no incidents and no falls, so it was clean night on the track.”
Fashions on the field was well supported with record numbers of entries, with Launceston’s Krista McCrimmon taking out the main title.
Tori Rattray entertained the punters after the action on the track ended.
Rattray thanked the volunteer committee for assisting to run the evening and has put a call out for new committee members keen to be involved in continuing the event moving forward.
