Tough call to send talented trotter to new stable

It’s hoped a new stable environment will lift Well Defined (Majestic Son), with the 2021 Maori’s Idol Trotting Championship hero set to have his first Australian start not in the care of harness racing trainer Kate Hargreaves since 2018.

Hargreaves has trained the top squaregaiter to all 16 of his victories, but thinks Charlton-based horseman John Tormey might be able to help him rediscover winning form for the first time since his Mildura Trotters Cup success in April 2021.

“I’ve been disappointed with him this time in,” Hargreaves said.

“He’s just not letting down his last 200m and I’ve tried everything, so I thought a change of scenery might reinvigorate him.

“He’s done the same thing day in, day out with me – and is way too spoilt – for the past three years, so I reckon he needs to be put out of his comfort zone.

“It was a bloody hard decision to make. I owe it to him, though. I think it’s paid off because his trial last week was very impressive. I haven’t seen him savage the line like that for a long time.”

With five country cup triumphs to his name, Well Defined was a runaway winner of the 2021 Maori’s Idol Trotting Championship and holds a career record of 16 victories and 23 placings from 98 starts.

John Tormey’s daughter, Ellen, has been Well Defined’s regular driver and is set to partner the seven-year-old in this Friday night’s MC Labour Kilmore Trotters Cup.

The Jet Roofing Kilmore Pacing Cup and Reg Withers 3YO Classic are among the other features on the card, which will receive extensive coverage throughout the night at TrotsVision.com.au.

For complete race fields, click here.

by Tim O’Connor, for HRV