Star Major will head to this Sunday’s heats of the $75,000 Group 3 Easter Cup in winning form after claiming the Stan & Katie Leedham Memorial (2200m) in Launceston on Sunday night.
The nine-year-old Art Major gelding was one of three runners in the race that contested heats of the most recent Inter Dominion series.
From barrier two on the second row, Gareth Rattray got the Todd Rattray-trained pacer through the field early to lead up the one-wide line for the final 1500m of the race.
Star Major ($5.50) put his head in front near the 150m and was able to hold off the fast-finishing De Goey ($6.50) by a half-head, with Hot Deal ($9.50) 1.1m away third in a mile rate of 1:57.7s.
“He was really good; he had to do the work, and obviously, the favourite (Magnetic Terror) was in front, and we were up outside him and made it an honest race,” said Gareth post-race.
“One time, Toddy drove him, sat him up, and he won easily, but he was strong and loved a fight.”
Star Major was runner-up in last year’s Tasmania Cup and Easter Cup Finals before returning to New South Wales, where he went on to win five races at Menangle before returning to Tasmania for another tilt at the Autumn features.
He was defeated 15.2m in this year’s Tasmania Cup, where Gareth was pleased with that run.
“I thought it was pretty good. I locked wheels early with The Shallows, and we gave them a lot of ground I just drove for luck after that, and we didn’t get it, he finished hard on the back of Just Tiger (sixth placegetter).
“I think he is going the same (as last year). If he gets luck in the Easter Cup, he will be thereabouts again,” the Hall of Fame driver said.
Training honours at the meeting went to Wayne Yole, who trained four of the eight winners, including Watermelon Sugar ($3.80), Sharmey ($14), Remember Me Now ($11), and No Nukes Skipper ($4.20).
Beauty Point-based trainer Conor Crook prepared a double with Knock Out ($2 fav) winning first-up from New South Wales, with Better Exclusive ($6) being his other winner.
It was a rough result for punters in the opening race, with Barny Bill recording a last-to-first win for father-daughter duo Craig and Hannah Van Dongen at $31.
