First-up failure for top trotter

Harness racing trainer Andy Gath has identified the key reason behind Majestuoso’s (Majestic Son) first-up failure in the Lenin Trotters Free For All and is hopeful the issue won’t hinder the star squaregaiter’s current preparation.

The Long Forest trainer said his horse “tied up” during Saturday night’s Group 3 feature at Melton, a problem that is akin to severe cramping in athletes.

Gath said it was the first race Majestuoso had tied up in throughout his 51-start career and believed a range of factors – including not enough work or bad hydration due to the cold weather – could have caused it to occur.

After drawing the back row, the six-year-old was sent forward to the death seat by driver Kate Gath before the bell and looked to have plenty to give approaching the home straight, but dropped out in the concluding stages to finish seventh, beaten nearly 20m by winner Sundons Courage.

“It was probably one of his worst performances. When they perform to that level there’s generally a reason and we know what the reason is,” Gath said.

“He’ll be fine. It’s not a soundness issue, it’s an issue that can be addressed and sometimes it’s just a one-off…”

Gath said Majestuoso’s heart rate was 116bpm 20 minutes after the race, much higher than his usual figure of around 80bpm.

And he said the horse paced when it was attempted to trot him up following the event.

“They switch gaits because it hurts them,” he said.

RACE REPLAY

Gath said another factor that contributed to Majestuoso’s poor performance was the fact he over-raced after kicking the wheels of his cart during the run.

Blood has been taken from the horse for analysis, with the results expected some time on Monday.

The gelding has won 25 career races, including his last four appearances at Group 1 level.

A trip north for the Queensland winter carnival is on the short-term agenda, with the Inter Dominion series at the back end of the year among Majestuoso’s major goals.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim O’Connor, for HRV