Frankie Major, centre, staves off late runs from Nelson’s Boy, widest, Louezyana and Mhai Surfer Girl, markers. PHOTO: Race Images.
Frankie Major’s high speed and stamina impresses Zachary and Ray at Auckland
By Barry Lichter • 20 October 2023
He’s gone faster in the past but trainer Ray Green had no hesitation in labelling Frankie Major’s win at Auckland on Thursday night as his career best.
And so fast did the Art Major colt sprint down the back straight that he earned high praise too from driver Zachary Butcher.
Butcher was near the tail of the field when he lit the fuse 600 metres out on Frankie Major and by the time the field hit the 400 metre peg he was in front, still three wide, and still firing.
“He was tired at the top of the straight but he put his ears back and tried his arse off,” Butcher said.
“Not many could have held on after what he did. They were walking early and I thought I might be in a bit of trouble. But he has a lot of high speed.”
Green was impressed most by Frankie Major’s ability to sustain that high speed for so long.
“He’s always had high speed but he’s never been able to sustain such a long run. To his credit he dug in and got the job done. That was the best run I’ve seen from him.”
Despite being reined up turning for home, Frankie Major held a comfortable three-quarter length margin at the line, Nelson’s Boy and then Mhai Surfer Girl taking a little ground off him late.
His time of 2:45.3 was 3.2 seconds slower than he clocked in winning at Cambridge in late September with the closing sectionals significantly faster at 56 and 27.3.
Green said a stronger Frankie Major was now building on the early promise he showed when competing against the best of his age.
The win, Frankie Major’s fifth, bosted his bankroll to $72,018 and continued a hot run for Butcher who after recent three and four-win bags now lies sixth on the drivers’ premiership with 49 wins, just one shy of fourth place.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
