Back on target after a big scare

Majestic Man’s NSW Inter Dominion quest is back on target.

After a big scare at Bathurst on Wednesday night, co-trainer and driver Anthony Butt gave the star trotter the thumbs-up today.

“He seems good today. His bloods came back not looking too bad, just a low grade lung infection by the look of things,” he said.

So, Majestic Man can continue his series, albeit in a challenging heat at Newcastle on Sunday night.

He’s drawn wide (gate six) in by far the strongest heat of the trotting series so far with key rivals like Maori Law (one), Humble Ladd (two), Pink Galahs (four) and Tough Monarch (six) all drawn inside him.

It will be interesting whether Butt gambles on using Majestic Man’s renowned gate speed to try and cross from the wide draw or whether he drives more conservatively given the circumstances.

The race is over 2040m at Newcastle and the start is renowned for horses being able to muster quickly from wide draws.

Majestic Man led and won from gate two on opening night but only narrowly and didn’t look anywhere near his brilliant best.

He led from gate two again at Bathurst, but wilted when pressured by Tough Monarch down the back straight and weakened to be beaten almost 40m.

Butt said Majestic Man never felt himself in the run and it prompted a scope and blood tests.

Majestic Man was long-time hot favourite for Saturday week’s Grand Final, but he’s now out to $4.60 for the final.

He’s a $6.50 shot to overcome the wide draw and win at Newcastle.

View the Newcastle fields click here!

HRNZ