Racing: Apprentice claims sure to help Rat Tat's chances

Apprentice claims in winter can be like gold in the vault.

The 4kg Harmony Moki will pull off the back of Rat Tat at Ellerslie tomorrow will go close enough to getting the Trentham mudder the dollars in the $20,000 Crombie Lockwood 1200.

Rat Tat was originally handicapped above the field on 58kg topweight, but the apprentice claim takes him down to 54kg, only 1kg above the bottom-weighted horse.

On the way he won at Ellerslie on June 3, Rat Tat will go close again with that weight.

Trainer Tony Lawrey was delighted with the way Moki rode Rat Tat in that victory.

"He's got to be held up for a late sprint," said Lawrey. "He's actually easy to ride - all you have to do is steer him and make sure you don't make your run too soon.

"The girl listened and did exactly what I asked of her last start."

Rat Tat revels in the worst of winter footing and with the Ellerslie track rating at 5.7 heavy yesterday track conditions won't be an excuse if he's beaten.

It is a hot field for a small line-up.

Go Thenaki is more than capable of winning, Ben Sparta is due to strike his best form after a couple of preparatory runs, My Lips Ar Sealed showed he is close to winning form with his close second to Rat Tat when resuming and the remaining four can be in it without surprising.

Go Thenaki finished 1.75 lengths behind Rat Tat on this track two weeks ago and after the apprentice allowances are deducted meets the other horse only .5kg better off.

He is heading for his hurdling debut and after just two starts this preparation might still be on the improve. He is tough and hardy, exactly what is going to be needed in tomorrow's testing conditions.

Not claiming an allowance means Ben Sparta will carry clear topweight, but for two seasons he has been used to lumping big weights.