Gatt Back And Keen To Make Up For Lost Time

Thirlmere trainer Mark Gatt is back doing what he does best and on Wednesday night he'll be chasing a double at Wentworth Park.

Gatt recently returned from seven month misconduct disqualification that he says "was the best thing that happened to me" and now back training, he's making up for lost time.

It didn't take long for Gatt to make a statement with the collar and lead when his first runner back from the ban ran a 520m near record at Dapto.

Leg Speed himself returned from a spell and ran a scintillating 29.37 at the South Coast track before seven days later again running best of night figures of 29.64.

"When he won first-up he ran the hands off the clock but we've always known he's an extremely fast dog but in a way he impressed me more last week because he pushed past dogs and came from behind," Gatt said.

"That's what I wanted to see from him because he hasn't done that in a race before.

"Now he has to take his Dapto form to Wenty. I'm pretty confident he will.

"He seems a different dog time in.

"More confident, a more mature different dog, he was going well back then but he's going even better now."

? Leg Speed clocked a sizzling 29.37 (Track Record 29.34) over the 520m at Dapto tonight for Mark Gatt ?

? Pat C Sabbath x Vouchers pic.twitter.com/qDg2UwDtk2

— Dimity Maher (@DimityMaher) July 6, 2023

Leg Speed again finds himself in box three on Wednesday when he contests the Vale Sue Barton Stake (520m).

"He's just going to have to chase out like he did last week at Dapto," he said.

"He's a dog that lacks pace so he's likely to be doing it from behind.

"I think the two will lead, it has the most pace in the race, and Nordic Roman, the four, that's the pace in the race.

"He's going to have to do it from behind.

"I hope he does because it would mean a lot to the family to win the race honouring Sue Barton."

Mark's brother Daniel trains Group 1 winner Wyndra All Class who is owned by the late Sur Barton, who passed away last week, and her husband Brian.

Meanwhile, Gatt's other Wentworth Park runner on Wednesday is the lightly raced and progressive Ritza Debra, a daughter of the Flying Ricciardo and Ritza Millie mating.

The October 2021 whelp has won two of her three starts including a last start Wentworth Park success in 29.88.

"She's actually a good box dog but she just lacks a bit of pace," Gatt said.

"I was happy with her last week and she's the sort of bitch that will just keep improving.

"This looks a nice little race for her but she can't draw a box, she's had two eights and two sixes so far and I'd prefer her drawn closer to the rail.

"She's going pretty good and I'm just hoping she keeps improving."