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Harness racing trainer Phil Williamson thought Majestic Man’s (Majestic Son) travelling days were over but now he hopes they last a couple of months.
Williamson and his $700,000-plus earner will return to Victoria this week for what could be a six-week campaign starting with the $50,000 Dullard Cup at Melton on Saturday night.
Majestic Man sealed his trip with an all the way win at Cambridge in January 12 but just as big a factor was who was not going to be there.
“The last couple of seasons Sundees Son, Bolt For Brilliance and Muscle Mountain have usually had his measure and it would have not made a lot of sense to chase one or two of them to Melbourne,” says Williamson.
“But with none of them going to be there for this summer I think it makes sense for us to go.
“He loves racing over there, has the gate speed to suit their racing style and has raced well in Melbourne and Sydney.
“He won well last start and worked very well on Tuesday morning so I think he can go a big race this Saturday.”
Majestic Man was set to leave Tony Herlihy’s stable in Auckland at 1.30am on Wednesday for the flight to Melbourne and Williamson will join him tomorrow, with son Brad coming to pilot him.
While the family are thrilled by not having to take on NZ’s big three in races like the Dullard, Great Southern Star and Trotting Grand Prix, Williamson realises it is not a case of simply turning up to win.
“I watched the race from Ballarat the other night and I thought Just Believe was really good.
“He is clearly a better horse than the one we raced in Sydney 14 months ago and he is going to be the one to beat in all the races over there.
“But we have a healthy, fit horse and we are going to give him his chance.”
Williamson says while there is an obvious pathway for Majestic Man which could even extend to Menangle on Miracle Mile night, it is still very much a case of race by race.
“We will take it race by race because there is no point being there if he starts racing below his best.
“But I’d love him to race so well he stays for two months.”
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