Trots Centre: Kiwi star here to raid Group 1 features

He’s an eight-time place-getter at the elite level back home in New Zealand, but will a second trip to Australia finally see Group 1 glory come the way of Majestic Man?

Trainer Phil Williamson has sent son Brad on a hit-and-run mission to try and steal some of our key squaregaiting features, starting with tonight’s TAB V L Dullard Trotters Cup at Melton.

Majestic Man, who is regarded as one of NZ’s star trotters, finished last in the 2020 Great Southern Star in what is his one and only appearance on our shores to date.

But that hasn’t deterred Brad Williamson, who believes his charge is well and truly up to this country’s best, including this evening’s key rival Majestuoso.

“I think we’re definitely up to them and certainly as good as them,” he said.

“Realistically, he’s the second or third best trotter in New Zealand… but with the short distance racing, the sprint trip racing, and the fact that they are all mobiles, all of the races that are planned really suit him.

“He’s definitely going to be racing at his peak and I think the conditions really suit him. If he gets some good draws, I think he can definitely put it with anything over here.

“But it’s still Group 1 racing. We’ve got Andy Gath and people like these, and these sorts of races (have) some pretty smart horses, so we are certainly not treating it lightly.”

The What The Hill Great Southern Star heats and final next Friday night are on the radar for Majestic Man, who may stay for an extended period and chase further riches here in Victoria and even New South Wales.

“We’ve been a bit unlucky. Back home we’ve run into a very good Winterfell last year and Sundees Sun this year, so with them not being on the scene, it looks more likely that we can get our first (Group 1),” Williamson said.

After a couple of missed flights back home in New Zealand, Majestic Man only made it to Victoria during the middle of this week, but Williamson isn’t phased by the six-year-old’s lack of time to acclimatise.

“I’m not worried, to be honest. It won’t affect his performance I wouldn’t think. But we will have to wait and see,” he said.

“He’s an experienced horse that has been around a bit…”

Majestic Man, who has won 15 races and more than $400,000 in prizemoney, has drawn barrier five for tonight’s TAB V L Dullard Trotters Cup where he will run a long odds-on favourite.

Majestuoso has drawn out the back in gate 10 and will have to improve on a disappointing last-start sixth at Melton in early January, while Gath-trained stablemate Monaro Maro looks the other major threat after a gallant third behind Magicool in last weekend’s E B Cochran Trotters Cup at Ballarat.

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