Star Major heading for Easter Cup after dominant win

Trainer James Rattray is looking forward to contesting the heats of the Easter Cup after Star Major (Art Major) won the $20,000 Launceston Discretionary (2200m) on Sunday night.

Driven by caretaker trainer Todd Rattray, the eight-year-old harness racing gelding left brilliantly from his 10m handicap to end up one out and one back after the first 300m of the race.

Todd made his move three-wide at the 500m on the $2.50 favourite, with the gelded son of Art Major sweeping to the lead at the top of the home straight to race away and record a 14.2m win over The Shallows ($6.50) and Rockandahardplace ($21) in a mile rate of 1:59.4s, with the last half-mile recorded in a slick 56.2s.

“We felt he needed a run before the Easter Cup heats as he seems to back up really well,” said James, who watched the race from his Exeter home in New South Wales.

“He began really well, and Todd got him in a good spot early. He looked hard to hold out from there.”

The race was the first public outing since the pacer finished second to Modern Bliss in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Tasmania Cup.

“I thought it was pretty good. Things didn’t work out early, drawing inside the second-row, and he locked wheels there for a bit.

“He had to do more work than we wanted but he was still pretty good,” James said about that effort.

The dilemma of who will drive the pacer in the Easter Cup remains to be determined.

“We will see what happens.

“Todd will have Magician in the heats next week, so Gareth may get the call up again.

“We will just wait and see what happens. I would love to make it down for the final, but I will wait and see what is going on here,” said James.

The win was an excellent tonic for part-owner Dean York, who hasn’t been in the best of health.

For complete race results, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing