Prominent trainer James Rattray looks to have unearthed another smart youngster with the impressive win of Alert Bay (Downbytheseaside) in the Three year old pace at Wagga on Friday afternoon.

Despite being reduced to just four runners the race was full of interest with the clash of Alert Bay and the smart filly Ride The Highs who was resuming following her outstanding win the QBred Triad Final at Albion Park last August.

Ride The Highs commenced brilliantly to race to a clear lead with Alert Bay taking the trail behind the leader with Bets On Heaven and Pier Pressure following in Indian file.

Mark Pitt gave Ride The Highs as easy a run as possible in the lead running her first two quarters in 30.3 and 31.1 seconds. Ride The Highs upped the temp for a third quarter of 28.5 seconds but Alert Bay stayed right behind with the other two runners losing ground. Ride The Highs run a scorching 26.1 seconds for the final quarter but Alert Bay peeled off the fence and he proved too strong winning by just over a metre from Ride The Highs with Bets On Heaven a distant third.

It looked to be a case of a race fit Alert Bay having the edge on Ride The Highs who will improve on that effort.

ALERT BAY 6 FEB REPLAY

Alert Bay is out of the former useful race mare Kabibi (Bettors Delight) who was also raced by James Rattray. She has a yearling filly by Always B Miki.l

Rattray commented on Kabibi.

She was a full sister to Beautide but very small. She did a super job for her size which probably prevented her from winning more races.

Alert Bay is an embryo transfer due to Kabibi’s size. He’s done a super job for where he’s at. It’ll be an Interesting next couple of months. He’s eligible for Bathurst. I think he’d be fine for the mile Derby heats. He only had a couple of starts as 2YO. He got sick and was very immature. And he come back really good. But he still has a long way to go. It was a very quick last quarter.

The Wagga meeting also paid tribute to the late Pat Lodge who recently passed away and was known as someone who provided tireless service to the Wagga Harness Racing Club and the Southwest & Riverina community. A minute’s silence was observed just before the running of the Pat Lodge Memorial Pace which was won by Savoy Ballroom (Vincent).

The other major issue for Wagga is that from next month they will be programming trotters races right up to the Nutrien Series on 30 May which will see Two year old finals for fillies and colts and geldings each worth $50,000 and similar finals for the three year old fillies and colts and geldings worth $125,000. Hopefully this could lead to a regular pattern of trotters races at the Riverina Paceway.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink