by Brian Cross
Anzac weekend proved something of a drought breaker for Ohoka trainer Trent Yesberg after an absence from the winner’s circle of several weeks.
First up it was Majestic Action showing the way at Rangiora on Sunday, getting everything right and putting on a totally professional trotting display. Drawing well after months on the unruly list and with perfect manners, the five-year-old Majestic Son mare reminded her trainer of just what she can do when the stars align.
“We’ve had the mare for just over a year now,” says Trent. ‘It’s taken much of that time to work her out.”
At times excitable and inclined to get herself worked up, Molly as she’s known, has nevertheless always shown plenty.
“Lately she’s really come on in her manners and has been trotting impressively without a lot of luck.”
Yesberg took Majestic Action on at a time she was at her worst behaviour. Consigned to the unruly list, she disappointed a lot of people when first racing from the stable in June/July 2020. Trent’s patience was rewarded in late December with a win at Motukarara, and another at Addington on the eve of Waitangi weekend.
In between times Majestic Action has had her share of misfortune, and got into some trouble of her own making.
“Up in the grades at this time and starting at the back in big fields hasn’t been her go,” says Trent, “but her manners have steadily improved and last week we took her off the unruly. Unfortunately she drew the second row, and the race didn’t suit her.”
Roll on seven days and drawn nicely in a smaller field in the Gallipoli Fillies & Mares Trot over 2000m, Majestic Action was at her best. Beginning well and getting the trail, she used the passing lane to good effect and won convincingly by two lengths.
“It was all very straightforward,” said driver Matthew Williamson. “She felt really good all the way and did the business as she liked.”
Not to be outdone by her paddock mate’s win on Sunday, Kusanova roared home at Methven on Monday to take out the Hanley Products Mobile Pace in a rousing finish. Victory was just reward for the mare’s efforts over the summer, which saw her run a string of minor placings after her maiden win at Timaru in October.
Drawing the outside of the front row, driver Williamson had no option but to take favourite Kusanova to the back of the capacity field. From there she edged into the race before launching a sustained run in the straight to get up by a nose from second favourite Ruby’s A Delight.
“She was feeling it at the end, but really wanted to win,” Matty said. “It was her determination that got her over the line.”
Yesberg was absolutely thrilled with the effort.
“Kusanova’s been well rewarded for a consistent season,” he said. “She’s been up for a long time and had some really good runs without a lot of luck, as her many 4ths and 5ths show.”
The trainer was quick to commend his staff for their attention to Kusanova during a long campaign. “Anna and Sarah have worked really hard to keep her happy and in shape. They are both dedicated and deserve a lot of credit for the win.”
Kusanova’s season has been a long one between drinks for her owners the Kabello Bloodstock Syndicate. “The horse is very honest and a pleasure to train for the owners, said Yesberg. “It’s great she could do the job for them today, before she heads for the spelling paddock.”
Majestic Action will join her buddy on the sidelines for the next few weeks. In many ways their seasons have been in parallel, and for their trainer and owners it is clearly very rewarding to have the mares finish their campaigns on a high.
