Ratz, the best Tasmanian trotter of the modern era, has died aged 31.
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Bred and raced by Rod and Denise Boyle, of Scottsdale, Ratz won 15 races and $81,000.
His victories included the Victorian Trotters Derby, NSW Trotters Derby and prestigious Gramel Handicap in South Australia.
He also set a Tasmanian record when he time-trialled in 2:02 at Mowbray while home for a break.
With no trotting races in Tasmania at the time, Ratz spent his entire career with Victorian trainer Ken Tippet.
He was by boom pacing sire Torado Hanover out of pacing mare Wytchita.
Denise Boyle explained that Ratz became a trotter by chance.
"We were working him at Scottsdale one day when we took pity on him and took his hopples off because he was starting to mark himself," she said. "One thing led to another and he just trotted."
Ratz had to be put down recently due to colic and other underlying issues.
