Better late than never

BETTER late than never is the way a thrilled Andy Gath described Tornado Valley’s success at Tabcorp Park Melton tonight.

Favourite heading into last season’s Great Southern Star, Tornado Valley was scratched on the morning of the Grand Circuit event due to swelling in his near hind leg.

Fast forward to this evening and Tornado Valley has added the Group One to his incredible resume.

Since making his debut for Gath in February 2018, Tornado Valley has won 26 of his 35 starts, with four placings also to his credit.

The trotter’s victories include seven Group Ones, headed by last season’s Inter Dominion Final.

“It was disappointing to have him scratched right before last year’s Great Southern Star,” Gath said. “He was in prime condition before hand, but it wasn’t meant to be.

“A couple of weeks later he won The Knight Pistol, which is also a Group One.”

While The Knight Pistol is scheduled to be conducted in a fortnight, Gath has elected to bypass the feature in preference for the Australasian Grand Prix on February 29.

Tornado Valley won the Grand Prix in 2018.

“I will give him a couple of days off then set him for the Grand Prix,” Gath said.

Driven by Gath’s reinswoman-wife, Kate, during his latest triumph, Tornado Valley began quickly to lead from barrier three as Tough Monarch, Dance Craze and Oscar Bonavena occupied the ‘death seat’.

Fending off the latter at the top of the home straight, Tornado Valley was then challenged by Red Hot Tooth along the sprint lane but was able to hold on by a short half-head.

Massive Metro, which travelled two-back along the pegs, was a metre-and-a-half away third.

Owned by Norm Jenkin the son of Skyvalley rated 2:01.2 over the rain-soaked 2760-metre journey.