Miracle Mile and dual Inter Dominion winner Beautide will return to harness racing at Tabcorp Park Menangle this Saturday night after 265 days away from the races. The last time the James Rattray trained gelding competed in a race was in the 2015 Len Smith Mile on April 26 when he finished second behind Smolda.
Only once in Beautide's career has he had a longer spell and that was in 2011/12 after finishing his three year old season. During that break the son of Bettor's Delight was away from the races for 292 days and despite the lengthy break returned to win the Westbury Cup over 2650 metres off a 30 metre handicap.
Trainer James Rattray has been happy with Beautide's recent trials and is expecting a strong effort first up.
"He seems really good, his trials have been good and I'm really happy with the condition he is in," Rattray told Sky Sports Radio on Tuesday morning.
"He has had a long break but there were never any serious problems, it was more precautionary and I think he can return to the level he has performed at previously although he is now an eight year old."
Rattray is not concerned by the 2300 metre journey on Saturday night but did confirm Beautide will improve on his first-up performance.
"At this level it is never easy, I'm expecting a really good work-out and he is definitely going to take some benefit from the run.
"The plan was always to resume this week which then gives me a fortnight to the Victoria Cup and if I'm happy with him I can then go to Melbourne before competing in the Miracle Mile heats at Menangle.
"Right now, I'd say I'm a 50/50 chance to go to the Victoria Cup, what he does this weekend will have a big bearing on my final decision."
Stablemate Devendra will compete in this Friday night's WA Pacing Cup and then return to the eastern states. The Inter Dominion heat winner has been nominated for the Victoria and Hunter Cups but Rattray suggested he may miss the Hunter Cup and concentrate on the Miracle Mile carnival.
"At this stage it will be just the Victoria Cup and I'll get him home for the Miracle Mile qualifiers on February 13."
Greg Hayes
