Freshened Moth makes a Major impact

Major Moth’s stunning return to harness racing hasn’t surprised star trainer Emma Stewart, who has Grand Circuit aspirations for the brilliant son of Art Major.

However, before he tackles some of harness racing’s big open-age features in 2023 and beyond, the untapped pacer will look to cap off a perfect return campaign with victory in Saturday night’s Rock N Roll Heaven Vicbred Super Series final for four-year-old entires and geldings.

Major Moth had almost 12 months away from the track after his fifth placing in a Vicbred Super Series heat late last year, but has hit the ground running with three wins through December.

While some of his stablemates battled it out in the SENTrack Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Grand Final at Melton on December 10, Major Moth blew out the cobwebs with a dominant success in good time in one of the card’s support races.

Next came the Vicbred Super Series and convincing heat and semi-final victories, which have the winner of almost $300,000 in prizemoney a key fancy for the Group 1 decider.

Stewart said he had impressed since returning from a condition known as “PODS”, a common joint issue in racehorses that prolonged Major Moth’s stint on the sidelines.

“He just needed time out for his bones to heal,” Stewart said.

“(Owner) Lenny (Parker) was probably just patient and didn’t want to bring him back too early. He kept getting checked and they kept saying (he needed) longer and longer, so it was just a maintenance thing.”

Stewart said it was no shock Major Moth quickly found his rhythm and returned to winning form.

“He was always a good horse and was probably better than our ones that we had racing at the time,” she said. “He was probably the best, so it hasn’t surprised me.”

Damian Wilson rarely drives for the state’s leading stable, but a friendship with Parker has meant the 47-year-old reinsman has partnered Major Moth in all 20 career starts and 12 wins.

He will be at the controls when the horse leaves from barrier three and takes on stablemates Act Now, Narutac Prince, Idyllic and Longfellow in the $130,000 feature.

“I think Major Moth sits at least equal with those ones,” Stewart said. “Maybe not quite up to Act Now because he’s got the experience, but I think ability-wise he’s the best.”

Stewart will prepare a staggering 28 runners through seven of Saturday night’s Vicbred finals and has sided with two-year-old filly Joyful as her stable’s best chance on the card.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Tim O’Connor, for HRV