Fourth time triumph

Michael Howard (HRV)

Andy and Kate Gath combined for a stunning fourth What The Hill Great Southern Star triumph, with Majestuoso leading all-the-way in the final to cap a drama-filled Friday night at Tabcorp Park Melton.

The Gaths’ hold on the richest Australian trotting trophy tightened with Majestuoso adding to Tornado Valley’s two back-to-back wins, making it three in succession for owner Norm Jenkin, while the trainer-driver combo also scored in 2017 with Glenferrie Typhoon.

“It’s such a great race and to be able to win it four times is such a great thrill,” Andy Gath said. “To be able to win it for Norm, too, he’s been such a great supporter of mine for such a long time. It’s a great feeling.”

And it was hard earned, with the Great Southern Star’s one-night heats-into-final format creating plenty of drama along the way.

Kate Gath had some nervous moments when Majestuoso was buried three back on the pegs in her heat, but she was able to find enough clear air late to run into fourth.

While only the first three home were guarateed to advance, fortunately for Gath the second heat was by far the quickest. Seven of the 10 qualifiers advanced from it into the final, with only Rules Dont Apply, Tornado Valley and Wobelee emerging from the first heat.

The next hurdle was the live barrier draw, where horses were randomly plucked before their connections chose the best gate.

Wobelee’s owner Colin Murphy was fortunate to draw first and happily claimed gate one, with Majestuoso claiming four while his major rival, Im Ready Jet, was stranded in gate 10 after being out of the draw due to galloping in her heat.

It would prove decisive in the final, with Majestuoso crossing quickly to the lead and Wobelee taking his back, and they would prove the dominant runners with Temporale (breeze) and Tornado Valley (one-one) unable to threaten in the running line.

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-02-08/20

in the 8 February 2022 edition
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pick up a paper around your town.