Gus first dual Aussie winner of the Dominion

Gus (Majestic Son) became the first two time winner of our greatest trotting race when he took out the $400,000 Group One Renwick Farms Dominion at Addington today.

The win was his second in as many years but there were some anxious moments at the 3200 metre start point.

Gus trotted away well from his wide draw but soon rolled into a gallop before he getting back into his gait and settling at last of the bunch.

“As soon as he trotted I was pretty confident. It probably worked out alright because we were back where we were last year,” said driver Pete McMullen.

Up front there were a number of lead changes and all the while Gus was second last on the outside behind Mean To Be. When the field went past the start point, Meant To Be began a three wide run and Gus got straight on his back.

“I knew I had the best horse and probably the fastest horse. It was just a matter of not getting him too revved up and it all worked out perfect.”

Prestigious saw them coming and popped out to take the front. Once Meant To Be got to the parked spot McMullen kept Gus rolling and with a lap to run the pair were in front.

“When I got to the front I was able to slow the pace down a bit and nurse him all the way to the finish.”

At the line Gus was a length and a half clear of Higher Power with Habibti Pat two lengths back in third.

GUS REPLAY

Just prior to the line McMullen gave the crowd a whip flourish.

“It was a bit of a relief. When you start as an odds on favourite all eyes are on him. I was pretty happy to get the win. To come back twelve months on and do it again it’s pretty incredible.”

The winning time of 4-05.6 was just .5 of a second slower than his winning time last year.

Gus is trained by Chantal Turpin and joins the list of dual winners of the Dominion in the last sixty years – Easton Light, Scotch Tar, David Moss and Master Lavros. Sundees Son, Take A Moment and Lyell Creek have all won the feature three times.

“It means a lot. It’s such an amazing day here. As long as it’s all good with him (Gus) we’ll be back,” Turpin said.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink