Can team Gath weave another miracle?

The Great Southern Star has been run just 11 times, and nobody has built its harness racing profile more than Andy and Kate Gath.

The power couple have won 4 of the 11 runnings, including four of the past seven.

It started with Glenferrie Typhoon in 2017, then champion Tornado Valley went back-to-back in 2020 and 2021.

Then came the then young and brilliant Majestuoso (Majestic Son) in 2022.

A couple of weeks ago, it seemed Team Gath would only be spectators for this year’s Great Southern Star, but a late and daring decision has changed all that.

Majestuoso is back to chase a second win, but it will be his first trip to the races in 11 months.

In fact, the gelding has only raced once since finishing seventh in both his heat and final of last year’s Great Southern Star.

Majestuoso, who boasts 27 wins and $707,540, did go within a half-neck of beating Just Believe in the Melbourne Inter Dominion final on December 10, 2022.

He passed his final test to resume at the highest level with a good third against the pacers in quick time at the Melton trials yesterday (Tuesday).

You only have to look back to Tornado Valley’s second win to see the Gaths can weave magic in the Great Southern Star.

The then nine-year-old was basically retired when he returned to win the heat and final.

“To win the heat and then the final, it was almost like a comeback fairytale that doesn’t really happen,” Andy Gath said.

Majestuoso has been sidelined even longer than Tornado Valley was, but Gath warned not to sell him short.

“We’re really happy with him at home. He’s a natural athlete, and you’ll see very close to the best version of him despite being out so long,” Gath said.

“He’s carrying a bit of condition, but he’s raced well like that before.”

“We could’ve waited for the (easier) Cranbourne Trotters’ Cup a week later, but that’s over 2550m while these races are 1720m.”

“Speed has always been his greatest asset, and we’re expecting him to run really well.”

Majestuoso is the $6.50 third favourite in the first of two Great Southern Star heats (race two) on Saturday night. The favourite is the European import Callmethebreeze, who impressed with a good second to Just Believe at his Aussie debut.

The Great Southern Star consists of two qualifying heats (races two and three) into a $300,000 final later in the night (race eight).

Champion trotter Just Believe is a commanding favourite to win the race for the second successive year.

The eight-year-old was beaten in his heat last year, but bounced back to easily win the final.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia