Rattray ready to ramp things up

23 August 2021

PROMINENT Southern Highlands trainer-driver James Rattray is hoping that the current Covid-19 outbreak will soon settle so that he can ramp things up with his open-class horses, which he’s setting for the upcoming Inter Dominion.

The former Tasmanian knows what it takes to claim harness racing’s biggest prize as he has done it twice before, with champion pacer Beautide in 2014 and 2015.

Rattray’s current stable star is Ignatius, the winner of 27 races and more than $568,000 in stakes.

Ignatius captured a rare feat in 2019 when he won the Group 1 New South Wales Breeders Challenge four-year-olds’ Final after previously winning both the two and three-year-old legs of the series.

Rattray has 15 horses in training at his Exeter base and works alongside up-and-coming junior stable driver Charlie Castles, who also originates from Tasmania and jumped at the opportunity to come and work with Rattray.

Castles is making a good fist of things here in NSW, averaging a winner each week.

On Friday he partnered Rossini to a solid victory at Wagga when he came from the tail of the field and outstayed his rivals for a powerful win in 1.53.8 with a last half mile in 57.3s.

Hannah Rixon also works part-time for Rattray and is another young star on the rise.

“Having 15 horses in work is just a good number for us to manage,” said Rattray.

“It has been a little bit of a challenge in recent times dealing with restrictions caused by the Covid situation, but we are so grateful that we are still able to race and earn an income.”

Goulburn has been temporarily placed in the Riverina area for regional racing and Rattray has six runners engaged at today’s meeting.

“The three horses that are in the fast-class race this afternoon are all on a path to the Inter Dominion and have been trialling really well,” said Rattray.

“Obviously Ignatius is the star of my stable and, on form and reputation, he is the one to beat.

“I have been happy with his work leading into this, but I would not say he is a sure thing.

“Star Major is a seriously good horse in the making.

“He is very fast and has drawn ideally in gate one.

“He had some minor surgery earlier this year and I am really happy with his progress.”