by Jonny Turner
Otago trotter Majestic Man gets the perfect chance to be rewarded for his sensational night one performance in the second round of Interdominion trotting heats on Tuesday.
The Phil Williamson trained squaregaiter turned heads when producing a sizzling finish to finish third behind Winterfell and Marcoola at Alexandra Park last Friday.
The performance was not just pretty to watch – the 5yr-old produced stunning closing sectionals that made his effort arguably the best of all beaten runners across the heats of both Interdominion series.
Majestic Man’s closing splits of 54.6sec (last 800m) and 26.9sec (last 400m) were even enough to have driver Brad Williamson shaking his head.
“They were unbelievable times – he just flew,” the reinsman said.
Majestic Man gets an ideal scenario to continue the momentum from his brilliant first night run in Tuesday’s second round.
The sprint trip of 1700m, a premium number 3 barrier draw and racing right-handed make the race almost tailor-made for the Majestic Son trotter.
And Williamson has no plans to waste the opportunity.
“We will definitely look to use his gate speed, with a draw like that you have to use it,” Williamson said.
“We will come out and if we found the front, that looks the perfect scenario.”
“But, other drivers are out there and they will have their own plans.”
“My horse has got plenty of gate speed, but a few of the others have plenty of gatespeed, too.”
Many expected Habibi Inta to find the front before he put in a lack lustre performance in the first of last Friday’s trotting heats.
Williamson said it would be no surprise if driver Blair Orange had the Paul Nairn trained trotter much handier on Tuesday.
“Habibi Inta has got a decent amount of gate speed – he has led up in a Harness Jewels.”
“It looked like Blair had to go back last week, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go out hard this time.”
Habibi Inta will start from barrier 2 alongside the Phil Williamson owned Kenny’s Dream, who starts from barrier 1.
First round runner-up Massive Metro has his early fate resting with the Tony Herlihy trained and driven Kenny’s Dream.
All Stars trotter Winterfell, who was extremely keen behind the mobile before his big opening round heat starts from barrier 5.
Those wishing to harshly scrutinise Majestic Man’s first round performance may have noticed the trotter put in a rough stride on the home turn before he flew home for third.
Williamson said he was initially concerned about the incident, that cost the horse any chance of winning.
After analysing the race’s sectionals the driver was not nearly as concerned.
“I don’t think it is any concern – it was his first run at Alexandra Park for a long,” the driver said.
“And there is no way they will be running home like that in the final, so it’s not a big worry going forward.”
Majestic Man has been backed in from $3.20 to $2.60 in fixed odds betting since Tuesday.
Winterfell has headed the race market at $2.20, ahead of Habibi Inta ($3.70) and Massive Metro ($10).