TASMANIAN star Devendra took a major step towards an interstate campaign when successful at Hobart during the weekend.
In what was his fourth run back from a 15-month injury-enforced break, Devendra led throughout against open company.
Pleased with the eight-year-old’s performance, trainer Todd Rattray is confident Devendra can recapture the form which saw him win two Inter Dominion heats during the 2015 Perth series.
In fact, Rattray has set his sights on this season’s Inter Dominion, which is scheduled to start at Gloucester Park on November 24.
Devendra was listed at 13 when the first rankings were released last week.
“The aim is to be there in Perth, but he has bit of racing and improving to do,” Rattray said. “He’s definitely getting back to his best.
“At this stage the Victoria Cup before the Inter Dominion is on the agenda or he may go to Perth early and race there in the lead up.”
Driven by Rattray’s father, Barrie, Devendra began quickly to find the front from barrier seven before leading home a stable trifecta as Pachacuti and Roger Ramjet filled the placings.
“He went very well and showed he’s starting to get there,” Rattray said. “It was a huge effort to run that lead time and win like he did.
“There is a race for him down here in a fortnight, then we may have to head interstate to get a few more runs into him.”
Words by Paul Courts