A sparingly raced metropolitan four-year-old that hasn’t won since his debut success more than a year ago is finally set to return to winning ways at Tuesday’s Bathurst meeting.
Majestuoso Phoenix remains a work in progress for the powerful Ciaron Maher stable at Warwick Farm ahead of a second-up run in the feature Class 2 Handicap Heat of the Rising Star over 1200m.
Trainer Ciaron Maher has had his hands full with Majestuoso Phoenix.Credit: Getty Images
Majestuoso Phoenix announced himself emphatically in a maiden at Wyong in late November last year, sweeping home to win on debut as a $3 favourite.
But as he quickly stepped up to tougher class 1 company, little or nothing went to plan. He was unplaced in three provincial outings, broken only by a strong closing second in a country class 1 in late April.
Yet, Majestuoso Phoenix, a gelded son of Irish super sire Lope De Vega, seemingly appreciated having the winter off. He returned with two progressive provincial trials, winning the latter at Wyong and comfortably running under a minute for the 1000m.
He then resumed in a handy BM64 handicap for the boys over 1100m at Hawkesbury, and was beaten less than two lengths after twice being checked in the straight and ultimately finishing in the slower part of the track.
It was an encouraging run for frustrated connections, especially given the winner of that race, Big Papa, was then narrowly beaten in a deeper BM72 at Randwick, while equal second-placed Octa de Lago and fourth-placed Iron Fury were also just edged out in their next starts.
Coming back to country opposition now from a handy trailing draw is promising for Majestuoso Phoenix as he looks to claim a second win at his seventh start.
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