Majestic Man's ID campaign in trouble

By Adam Hamilton

Classy Kiwi trotter Majestic Man’s NSW Inter Dominion raid was thrown into chaos with a mystifying flop on night two of the series at Bathurst.

While he won without really impressing on opening night, Majestic Man was sent out a $1.40 favourite from gate two and all looked good when held-out the speedy Caligula to lead over 1730m.

But it was clear he was in some trouble down the back straight when classy veteran Tough Monarch quickly loomed alongside and even headed Majestic Man.

He punctured quickly and dropped-out to finish 36.2m from the winner, Lotsmuscle, in sixth spot. The five trotters he beat home all galloped at different stages.

Trainer-driver Anthony Butt remarked briefly after the race that Majestic Man “never felt himself this time.”

Matty Craven tipped Lotamuscle to be a surprise packet in the series and he deserved his win, getting out of the gate well enough to hold the leader’s back and then escaping traffic to win.

“We brought him up because we thought the series would really suit him. He’ll love the long trip in the final,” Craven said.

It was a Victorian quinella with $81 shot Just Believe running a cheeky second.

Tough Monarch kept his hopes of making the final alive with a much-improved run for third.

In the other heat, the baby of the series Timothy Red added to his giant-killer tag with another heat win.

A rank outsider on night one, Timothy Red caused a minor upset as an $8 shot last night when sat behind the leader, Humble Ladd, and used the sprint lane to win.

It’s been a remarkable start to the series for Timothy Red, a four-year-old, who went into night one with just 14 starts to his name for the very popular Joe and Mary Rando.

Humble Ladd, Team McCarthy’s only trotter in the series, led, looked to have his chance and weakened late for fourth.

Much as it was for glamour mare Pink Galahs on night one, she had another trying run last night and did well to finish a close third.

The eye-catcher was rejuvenated Victorian veteran Maori Law, who made a midrace move to sit parked, and dug deep late for a close second.

He’s now in the care of former Kiwi father-and-son, Richard and Emmett Brosnan.

Opening night eye-catcher The Penny Drops wasn’t as well suited by the sprint trip last night, but ran a solid fifth and looks right on target.

The last round of heats are over 2040m at Newcastle on Sunday night.