‘Little Master’ answers Inter Dominion call up

Legendary Victorian reinsman Brian Gath has answered the call up from a long-time friend to take the reins in next Saturday night’s $145,500 Inter Dominion Trotters Final at Menangle.

Astute Riverina horseman Tony Peacock has engaged Gath to handle talented mare Illawong Stardust, raced by Kaye Hartnett.

Gath, at 77 years young, has driven thousands of winners including one that he admits he still remembers well, despite it being more than four decades ago.

The “little master” as he’s often referred, teamed with Markovina to win the 1978 InterDominion Pacing Championship at Moonee Valley.

“Yes, that was over 40 years ago but the memories are still very clear. We actually took two floats to the meeting, just in case something happened and one broke down!” he laughed.

“Since then, I’ve been runner-up on two occasions with Franco Tiger at Melton, and then Shakamaker at Harold Park.

“I’ve never won a race at Menangle, but I did run second in a Fosters Gold feature for Emma Stewart. It’s a beautiful track and I would compare it with the Meadowlands in the US. It’s a pity we haven’t got more around like it.”

Gath said he was excited to be given the opportunity to drive Illawong Stardust (Muscle Hill – Lunar Landing (Sundon) in the 3009 metre Trotters Grand Final.

“She’s shown me in the past that she’s a very good trotter-I really like her a lot. It will be a big ordeal for her, but she will be all the better for the experience,” he said.

“The race is a long way so I will probably be driving her a little conservatively. I think if I can poke along the fence, she will go okay.

“I’m very thrilled to be driving her because Kaye and Martin were such astute breeders for a long time, and lovely people. I’ve trained and driven for them for probably 35 years, up until Martin passed away (in August last year), and I’ve been driving Illawong Stardust for Kaye.”

Gath handled Illawong Stardust at Melton on November 19 when third in her first hit-out for nearly six months, but initially elected not to make the trip north for the Inter Dominion series. However, Gath got the call up when champion driver Luke McCarthy took the drive on Humble Ladd.

McCarthy drove Illawong Stardust in the three qualifying heats, kicking off with an eye-catching third to Majestic Man on the opening night. The mare went off stride in the next round and then on Sunday night led them up for most of the way, tiring the last little bit to be fourth and able to snatch one of the last spots in the big final.

“I plan to drive up on Saturday morning. I’ll have a passenger with me, in my grandson Louis. He just loves the sport and he’s working to getting his driver’s licence. He’s had three or four drives at the trials and every weekend he’s over at our place with the horses,” he said.

“So when we get to Menangle, I’ll have a rest and a shower, and then go and try and win the Inter!”

Illawong Stardust has drawn barrier nine in Saturday night’s Inter Dominion Trotting Championship at Menangle.

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink