Well-bred two-year-old pacer Kvitova Leis will head to the spelling paddock this week with her confidence high following an impressive win in a 2C0-2C1 over 1609 metres last nigh at the harness racing meeting at Ubet Park, Hobart.
The Barrie Rattray-trained filly was sent around the field from last to find the front a lap from home and went on to score by almost seven metres from first-starter Reason To Grin with the well-backed Shadow Blue two metres away third.
"This filly has done a good job winning two of only four starts but we'll turn her out for a break and hopefully she will come back and be very competitive in some of the feature three-year-old races," Rattray said.
Kvitova Leis (Bettors Delight-Levina Leis) won in Hobart two starts back after her debut second at the same venue to suggest she might have a future.
The Trevor and Marjorie Leis-owned and bred filly has improved at each outing.
Rattray ended the meeting with a double courtesy of Devendra scoring another impressive win.
Devendra won in Hobart two starts back but this latest victory proved he is back to his best.
Rattray said a virus that swept through his stable had led to a lean time for a few months.
"The virus cost the stable and to be honest we've had a horrid season compared to what we normally experience," he said.
"But the horses are starting to come good and that has been evident with us producing a few winners of late," he said.
Rattray was delighted with the run of his former Devonport Cup winner Devendra that scored impressively win in the The Warp Drive FFA over 2090 metres.
Devendra began brilliantly from the outside barrier (7) to cross and lead and once in front driver Gareth Rattray rated the five-year-old well.
The leader was pressured by All I Can Be for the last lap but when Rattray gave his charge more rein turning for home the gelding sped clear and had almost 12 metres to spare over Motu Crusader with Jukebox Magic flashing home from well back to grab third 3-1/2 metres away.
Devendra produced a mile rate of 1.58.3 on a heavy track and ran home his last 800m in 57.4.
Peter Staples