Veteran outsider flashes home to win at Redcliffe

By Josh Spasaro

Mat Wright admits he had little confidence in Miss Hattie’s chances when she was last in the field approaching the home turn at Redcliffe on Wednesday night.

But, the $23 outsider found another gear, flashing home out wide to score over 1780 metres.

Driven by Clint Sneddon, Miss Hattie defeated runner-up Ebony Belle.

“I probably wasn’t overly confident. I was hoping she might get a little bit of daylight and get through the line nicely,” Wright said.

“But, when she saw it, she really let down and finished over the top of them.

“She’s a real trier. When they were going along pretty even, I thought she’d be thereabouts.

“Clint got out when he needed to. It was the perfect drive.”

Wright has 13 horses in work and said Miss Hattie always gives 100 per cent effort.

“She really likes those even-ran races where she can work in and finish over the top of them,” he said.

“She’s probably one of the more honest horses I’ve got. She is tough. She lacks a bit of high speed, but she is strong.”

The well-bred Miss Hattie also has a calm nature away from the track at Wright’s Lockyer Waters property.

“She’s a lovely mare to have around. There are no vices about her,” he said.

“At the racetrack, she knows she’s there to race. But, at home, she’s one of the nicest horses to have around.

“There are no dramas and she’s a pleasure to work with.

“Her sire Art Major is one of the best stallions who has ever stood. Her mother Almihata is a Somebeachsomewhere mare, so she’s extremely well-bred.”

Nearing 150 career starts, Miss Hattie has a resolute mind to go with her gentle characteristics.

The 35-year-old Wright lives a busy life, also working as the on-course farrier at Ipswich Turf Club.

“I’m lucky that I have my dad, Gavin Wright, and Clint helps with the horses too,” he said.

“We work really well as a team. And, when I can’t get to the races, they’ll take them. I couldn’t do it without them.”

Wright said fellow veterans Man Of Action and Aunty Frances were among his other top-performing standardbreds.

“Man Of Action is going good again, so hopefully I can keep him up and going, and Aunty Frances,” he said.

“They’re the three handier ones in the team. 

"There are no superstars there, but they pay their bills.”