Talented harness racing trainer Kate MacLeod landed one of the bargain buys of the year when she secured former NSW pacer Rattlenhum for a modest sum earlier this year.
The gelded son of Riverboat King had won only one race from 50 starts for Broken Hill owner-trainer Tony Camilleri when he was advertised the gelding for sale on the Internet for $1500.
In Launceston on Sunday Rattlenhum made it two wins from only three starts for MacLeod, leading throughout with ace reinsman Troy Hillier in the sulky.
In blustery conditions Rattlenhum ($2.80) forged to the lead soon after the start and when seriously challenged in the home straight the last time he refused to wilt and forged clear close to home to score from Olivers Mate ($5) with the favourite Regmondo ($2.60) third.
"I was looking to buy a horse for my Mum (Ruth) to race and came across Rattlenhum on the Internet," MacLeod said.
"I spoke to the owner Tony Camilleri for a while and he explained the horse had just gone a bit sour but for $1500 I thought he was worth a punt.
"He had a win and a third at Broken Hill before I bought him in April and he won at his first start for me in Launceston a month later.
"I tipped him out for a spell and he was a bit unlucky when fourth first-up two weeks ago.
"But today once he got the front I knew he'd be very hard to run down.
"He can be a bit moody and is a bit of a pig at times but overall he's doing a good job and Mum's happy."
Peter Staples