Watts Up Partytime snatches win in Great Southern Star Final

Outsider Watts Up Partytime (Majestic Son) caused a boilover when he stormed home to take out the Group 1 $250,000 Yabby Dam Farms Great Southern Star Trotters Final at Melton last night. The unique nature of the event was that all trotters participated in heats before taking on the harness racing Final two hours later.

The race looked a like a carbon copy of the heat when The Locomotive burst to the lead from barrier two. Queen Elida took a trail behind the leader and Keayang Chucky was well back in the field.

The Locomotive started to put pressure on his opponents and skipped clear but he started to shorten stride.

Watts Up Partytime who had been buried back on the rails  made a lightning run with Keayang Chucky also winding up.

Watts Up Partytime scored narrowly over The Locomotive by a head with Keayang Chucky half a neck away third.

It’s party time for Gath Racing!

Watts Up Partytime gives husband and wife trainer/driver team Andy and Kate Gath a fifth win in the Group 1 Yabby Dam Farms Great Southern Star Final, 1720m, in 1:53.9 at Melton on a massive Saturday night. pic.twitter.com/XAbU0oDeJ4

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) February 1, 2025

Kate Gath was thrilled after the event.

“What an outstanding effort by the little fella. I’m over the moon and wrapped for the owner Bradley Watts. He’s put a lot into the sport and breeds every year. We had a couple of runs with him and I just didn’t think he was in the Zone yet. But I worked him on Wednesday and he worked real good.”

“The heavens just opened up for him. There was this massive gap in the middle of the track. It was all luck as we took the gap. The luck went his way and he was meant to win”.

The Locomotive had been ominous with a scintillating track record in winning the First Heat.

As expected the Locomotive easily held the lead from his pole position and driver Brad Hewitt allowed the free wheeling stallion to sail along. His main danger Arcee Phoenix was caught outside the leader with Oscar Bonavena being eased back to near the rear of the field.

It was clear along the back straight that The Locomotive was full of running and he went into another gear to stroll clear on straightening to record a hollow win over Lovemeto who battled on for second while Oscar Bonavena was doing his best work towards the finish to gather in third placing. His winning mile rate of 1.51.6 smashed the track record held by Tornado Valley of 1.53.1.

Arcee Phoenix understandably tired after having a torrid run in such fast time but was scratched from the Final following vet’s advice.

Watts Up Partytime (Majestic Son) run a much slower 1.54.1 but was still impressive after having a hard run out. Running to the front along the back straight Watts Up Partytime showed plenty of resolve in defeating Queen Elida and warm favourite Keayang Chucky who were both doing their best work towards the finish without ever looking likely to gather in the winner.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink