by Graham Fischer
When New South Wales owner George Montebello sent former New Zealand pacer Majestic Lustre to South Australian trainer Aaron Brown in early 2015, it was to win a race or two and be sold.
Luckily, for the owner he hasn’t been able to sell the gelding and on Saturday night Majestic Lustre won his 17th race for Brown taking out the 2017 UBET Port Pirie Pacing Cup (2530m) in track record time.
Driven a superb race by Ken Rogers, Majestic Lustre ($5) scored a six metre Cup win.
Magic Trump ($46.10) was second past the post, 1-1/2 metres in front of Sonic Classic ($24.70) with Bettor Party ($3.80) a further metre away fourth. However, Stewards deemed that driver Kerry Green had obtained an advantage by going inside the marker pegs around the home turn and Magic Trump was relegated to fourth.
Brown has done a sensational job with the eight-year-old gelding.
“He could have been claimed for $8000 earlier in the month,” Brown said. “He ran second that night, then was second in the Gawler Cup and won tonight.
“He really has been a wonderful pacer for me. He took his stakes winnings past $80,0000 tonight, not bad for a horse that has been on the market or could have been claimed.”
Rogers had Majestic Lustre away safely in the stand start race and settled fourth in the running line early as the front runners were in indian file.
After a lap, and alert to any move from the back, Rogers came one wide and went forward eventually allowing Bettor Party, which had come off a 30 metre handicap, to go around and sit parked outside the leader My Man Dan.
Down the back straight the final time, $2.40 favourite Adam Cartwright, which settled at the tail, came three wide and tried to get into the race but Danielle Hill, on Bettor Party, elected to go to the lead and take the sting out of the favourite’s forward move.
Rogers stayed calm and sat close to Bettor Party before asking his drive to launch a final challenge in the home straight and Majestic Lustre drew clear to win easily in the new record mile rate of 1:59.8 breaking the previous best of Our Flying Jazz recorded in the 2014 Cup.
Brown said he appreciated the support of owner George Montebello.
“George lives in New South Wales and could have his horses race where he could see them but has been a strong supporter of my stable and I really appreciate it,” he said.
“I’m not sure about the future plans to Majestic Lustre but after tonight I guess I have to consider thinking about the Mildura Cup next month.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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