Majesdix special for Williamson

The win of Majesdix (Majestic Son) at the Invercargill Harness Racing Club’s meeting at Ascot Park today was significant for Oamaru trainer Matty Williamson and for retired trainer Dick Prendergast and his wife Leonne. The Prendergasts share ownership in Majesdix and as Dick’s colours are now worn by Williamson, the win was special.

Over many years Prendergast trained two hundred and seventy seven winners of which one hundred and seventy three were trotters, including Simon Katz (Noble Lord) which won the 1978 Group One Dominion Handicap.

“People say to me it’s great to see those colours and (are reminded of) some of the good horses that have worn them including Simon Katz,” Williamson said.

Other good trotters for Prendergast were Hickory Stick (Game Pride) fourteen wins, Robbie Hest (Robert Evander) nine wins and Zola’s Pride (Game Pride) eight wins.

Williamson said Prendergast approached him one day at the trials and asked if he would like to use his colours.

“He’d long finished training but kept registering his colours. It was super. I got a set of colours given to me and some patchwork from Leonne, so I was away (laughter).”

As a junior driver, Matty’s father Phil had his first win on Hajano (Jersey Hanover) at Timaru in 1977. He was trained by Prendergast.

Of today’s win, Matty said “It’s the first time he’s had an interest in a horse in the barn although he’s probably been watching most of them and shaking his head when they don’t go that well (laughter). We’ve had a good run lately so hopefully we can do his colours proud.”

Bred by Central Otago breeder Rusty Nevill, who also shares in the ownership, Majesdix is out of Armbro Invasion mare Zandara.

“Rusty decided she was good enough to give them (the Prendergasts) a share.”

Majesdix was the favourite today after running four thirds from her last four starts, and the win is her first.

MAJESDIX REPLAY

“I thought she would have won one before now. It looks like we’re finally getting on top of things and clearly there’s ability there.”

Williamson said early in her career Majesdix didn’t have the manners to be competitive.

“She started to play around at the start. Her gait was pretty good once she got away. She was getting nervous, a bit of stage fright and was rushed into racing a bit early too. She’s learned a lot. If she’d won at one of those early starts and we had those problems in the next grade it would have been a nightmare. Touchwood it looks like we’ve got on top of things.”

Majesdix will have one more start and will then be turned out for the winter.

“She’ll probably start in the Gold Chip Final and then go out for a break which she deserves and should come back a lot better.”

In today’s race Williamson took an early trail behind pacemaker Terror Cove (Pegasus Spur). At the 500 metres he eased his filly off the running line and she went down to the finish to win by six lengths from Our Evie Rae (Majestic Son). The winning time was 3-33.5.

Later in the day Williamson’s good run continued when The Matriarch (Captaintreacherous) trailed pacemaker Sagwitch (Lisa Mara) and came up the passing lane to win easily by three- and three-quarter lengths.

For complete Ascot Park race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink