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: Lincoln LInda
5.14pm
“The fillies she raced against in the Sires’ Stakes Semi were the best around so this is a massive drop in class for her. I imagine Fergie will work his way forward, as she’s best in front, and then she’d become the one to beat.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
5.16pm
“The draw helps as he likes being in front. The raw ability is there but from time to time he’s reluctant to show it. But that last start was a vast improvement.”
Race 1: Colonel Lincoln
5.16pm
“He was definitely in need of the run first-up and will benefit from another. He’s been off the scene for a long time.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.08pm
“He did well second-up, peeling off a 55.1 half. He’s been a slow maturer but I think he’s getting stronger as he gets older - he certainly feels much stronger in his work.”
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.08pm
“The Cambridge race has brought him on and I’m sure he’ll go well again, but he won’t be butchered a week out from the Derby. I don’t want to get carried away but he’s a pretty good horse, the best of our three in the race. He’s a year younger than Suger Ray but has a bit more ability. It’s hard to know where he’ll take us but he has the potential to be a classic colt.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.08pm
“He’s in the zone, he’s feeling really great, and he won’t go badly. But he’ll need luck from the draw.”
Race 9: Spiritual Bliss
9.04pm
“She’s racing better horses now and has done well to cop getting parked in some hard-run races. Leading is her go and she’ll get her chance from the inside draw.”
Race 10: Rivergirl Bella
9.36pm
“She has got a bit of speed but she can’t carry it very far. But if she gets the right trip, and gets out at the right time, not too soon, she’s always a chance.”
Race 10: Jessie Lincoln
9.36pm
“Harry blamed himself for the horse breaking at the start at Cambridge - he said he asked her to go a bit too quickly off the gate. She shouldn’t do it again. She’ll hold her own here, I’m sure.”
Race 10: Marylynes Boy
9.36pm
“He’s been training well but he’s only a little colt having his first start and from the second row I think Nathan will be happy to just see him get around safely.”
