G1 Cup winner strolls home at bush meeting at 3/1

A little over 12 months ago, seven-year-old gelding Major Meister (Art Major) was a brilliant winner of the Cranbourne and then Bendigo Cup (earning a combined $99,750) – and for his latest win at last Saturday night’s Broken Hill harness racing meeting in outback NSW he collected $2100.

But his owners Ross Weightman, of Mildura, and Jon Canestra, of Melbourne, couldn’t be happier as firstly their pacer bounced back into the winner’s circle, but more importantly showed glimpses of his capabilities.

“We aren’t getting carried away because it certainly wasn’t a strong field. But he was forced to do it tough in the death-seat and they rated 2.01 around the tight track (602metre and the smallest in Australia),” Weightman said.

To atch the Broken Hill race replay, click here.

“There’s a bigger test at our local track on Tuesday night (Feb 6) when he competes in the fast class event. He’s drawn out the back, but if he can get home alright, we know we’re somewhere near the mark.

“Our trainer (Andrew Vozlic) hasn’t had him all that long, but he’s been happy with his work so we are hoping the horse can take it to the races.”

Major Meister, a winner of $286,000 in stakes, has had only 78 career starts for 15 wins and 17 placings, including the Group 1 Cranbourne Cup and Group 2 Bendigo Cup.

“He’s done a great job over the years,” Weightman said.

“When he first came out from New Zealand, he was a stallion and a bit of a handful. He was fooling around one day and ended up with a broken kneecap so that meant nearly 12 months off the scene.”

At Broken Hill, Major Meister worked forward from the four alley, but Cassie Robinson (Dribblabill) was determined to retain the lead. She kept the pace on with quarters of 31.3, 31.6, 30.2 and 29.6. Major Meister ($3) shot clear on the corner to win by 10m from Overpowering $2.60), who should return to the winners’ circle soon, and a further 2m back to Dribblabill, the $2.50 fav.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink