3 minute read
Major Moth tuned up for his Victoria Cup assignment with an authoritative win in the Group 2 Kilmore Pacing Cup on Grand Final Eve.
Sent out a $3.40 second elect behind stable mate District Attorney, Major Moth assumed the front running with two laps to travel while Better Eclipse was given the task of leading up the outside horses over the 2690 metre trip.
Cameron Hart rated the leader to a nicety before releasing the reins at the 800 metre mark and Major Moth pinched a winning break around the home turn to score by nine metres from District Attorney with Better Eclipse a game third in a mile rate of 1:58.3.
Hart said the race panned out as he had hoped it would.
"The map looked like the lead was there as District Attorney likes to take a sit," Hart said.
Hart admitted he had concerns on the turn when District Attorney peeled off his back.
"Yes, I was a bit worried because I know how fast District Attorney is and we all saw how he ran down Leap To Fame in Brisbane," he said.
Hart said he needed to judge the tempo of the race in the back straight.
"I had to go fast enough to make Better Eclipse work but I had to have enough left to hold out District Attorney in the home straight," he said.
Hart was suitably impressed after having his first drive behind the Jason Grimson trained Major Moth.
"He's a real brute," he said.
"He is strong and has a great turn of foot and he has a change of gear as well."
Major Moth will be part of a three-pronged assault on the Victoria Cup from trainer Jason Grimson who is also likely to harness up Sir Swayzee and District Attorney in the Group 1 feature at Melton in a fortnight.
Major Moth could also find himself with a potential trip across the Tasman to contest the New Zealand Trotting Cup in November.