McIntosh is one several Otago and Southland-based members of the Griffins Syndicate, which race the 5yr-old from Phil Williamson’s barn.
Few owners have shown the dedication to the Interdominion series McIntosh has over the past two years.
Last year he was on hand to witness Griffins Syndicate trotter Monty Python run in all three heats of Melbourne Interdominion. The horse subsequently finished third in the final won by Tornado Valley.
McIntosh travelled back and forth from Oamaru to to fulfil his work commitments as a truck driver.
He has not missed a step Majestic Man and Monty Python have taken at Alexandra Park during this year’s series.
McIntosh’s passion is driven by his involvement in the sport from a young age. And it is one that is linked to the 1965 series run at Forbury Park in McIntosh’s home province.
“Where it really began was I used to go over to Harry Cox’s stable at Winton and work with the racehorses.
‘‘He was mum’s uncle,” McIntosh said.
“I loved it.
“He had a big photo over the fireplace of a horse winning the Interdominion trotting final at Forbury Park called Poupette.
“Every time I went there I always looked at that photo and thought hopefully one day I could be involved in a race like that myself. Right to this day, 40-odd years later, I can still envisage that photo.”
McIntosh developed a passion for trotters that could have led him close to Interdominion success in 1994.
A friend told him of an opportunity to join the syndicate that raced former hardy Southland squaregaiter Diamond Field. But McIntosh did not pursue it because he felt the Cox-trained David Moss, as well as another former Southland trotter, Night Allowance, would have the horse’s measure in big races.
McIntosh said he shared a joke during the current series with Diamond Field’s winning driver, Tony Herlihy, about the near miss.
The Griffin’s Syndicate has amassed dozens of trotting wins.
“I have had a ball being in the syndicate. You get to meet a lot of great people and have a lot of fun.
“Syndicates are a great way for people to be involved without it costing a lot of money.”
McIntosh is not the only Oamaru based-member of the syndicate. The mother and daughter duo of Glenda and Kirsty Stevenson also race Majestic Man. Several owners are also based in Dunedin and further south.
McIntosh expects more than 20 of the Griffin’s Syndicate to be on hand to watch Majestic Man on Saturday night.
Their chances of celebrating look good, going on Majestic Man’s excellent heat runs.
McIntosh said he would be proud of his horse, win, lose or otherwise, and he was already planning his trip to next year’s Interdominion in Sydney.
