News & Media

06 May 2008 Rattray Loses His Appeal – Place on Plane to Perth Taken by Ford

Tasmania's leading driver Gareth Rattray has lost appeals against two three week suspensions for careless driving after a marathon four hour hearing this afternoon in Tasmania.

The suspension means that Rattray won't be able to take his place in the star-studded field for the $25,000 RWWA Rising Stars Invitation Stakes at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

His place will be taken by yet another of the plethora of star young drivers currently driving in Tasmania.

Nathan Ford has driven 66 winners (65 in Tasmania and one in Victoria) including seven this season.

His Victorian win came in a heat of the 2008 Australasian Young Drivers Championship at Ballarat behind Bold Curtly. Ford was the Tasmanian representative in the championship as fellow Tasmanian James Austin represented Australia as defending champion.

Nathan has been placed in three Tasmanian Youngbloods Championships (the Tasmanian equivalent of Western Australia’s and New South Wales Rising Stars Series) in 2004, 2005 and 2007.

Nathan works for his uncle Phillip Ford from stables at Brighton in Tasmania with a team of between 20 and 25 horses. Phillip Ford is in fourth place on the Tasmanian Trainers Premiership this season with 21 winners.

For more information contact:
Alan Parker
Assistant Manager Harness Racing
Racing and Wagering Western Australia
Ph: 9445 5207
Email: alan.parker@rwwa.com.au

Media Contact: Drew Mazalevskis PH: 9445 5184