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The start of the Sires’ Stakes Final at Addington on cup day when Frankie Major ran a creditable eighth.

Frankie Major going better than that form line - check out how he’s been doing on the clock

Don’t be put off by Frankie Major’s ordinary-looking form line when assessing his chances in Friday night’s Alabar Pace at Alexandra Park.

Frankie Major has recorded excellent sectional times in each of his most recent three runs, the latest of which came in the $170,000 Sires’ Stakes Final at Addington against the country’s best two-year-olds.

Stranded out the back from a bad draw and still last 400 metres from home, the Art Major colt passed runner after runner in the home straight to finish only seven lengths behind winner Don’t Stop Dreaming.

Pacing his last mile in 1:54.34, he clocked the third fastest closing sectionals in the race, 55.18 for the final 800 and 26.8 for the 400.

Frankie Major might have run only sixth before that, in his final lead-up race at Cambridge, but he became buried four deep then was checked back to second last a round from home.

Frankie Major’s closing splits of 57.6 and 27.54 were the fastest in the race.

The last time he raced at Auckland, Frankie Major again took time honours, rattling off a 55 last 800 and 27.7 last 400 in closing to half a length of debut winner Beach Flyebye.

The Steve and Amanda Telfer-trained two-year-old looks to be Frankie’s main opposition again on Friday, drawn one inside him at five.

“Beach Flybye looks a handy horse but we nearly caught him last time,” says trainer Ray Green.

“I thought he went pretty well down at Christchurch, particularly in his last 400 metres, so he’s got to be a good winning chance on Friday.

“I wouldn’t like to see him blast out of the gate because in a small field, even if he sat last, he wouldn’t be far off them on the turn.”

Green says the Addington race and two-day float trip home doesn’t seem to have bothered Frankie Major.

“He’s been pretty good in the week he’s been home. He’s back in his normal training routine.”

Lincoln Farms’ only other runner on Friday, My Copy, looks a solid each way chance again in the fifth race.

“I thought his last two starts were excellent. He’s very consistent, rarely misses a cheque, and should get a reasonable trip.”

My Copy missed by only a nose at his last start at Cambridge despite having to do plenty of work to lead, being attacked over the last lap and succumbing only in the last stride to the passing lane runner Don’tstopmenow.

Our runners this week

Saturday night at Albion Park

Argyle.

Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 1: Lincoln La Moose
5.43pm

“Drawn well, he should get a good trip and be the one to beat. He got held up at Cambridge last time and these amateur races are easier to win.”

Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.43pm

“The form line doesn’t show it but he actually went ok last time, they just sprinted and left him flat-footed. He’ll go his usual honest race.”

Race 2: Angelic Copy
6.16pm

“She and Linda train and trial together and are much more forward than the others. She’s a proper little tradesman who can do whatever you want and she tries hard.”

Race 2: Prince Lincoln
6.16pm

“He’s not as forward as the fillies. He’s still learning and can do nothing but improve.”

Race 2: Lincoln Lover
6.16pm

“He’s another who will benefit from the experience but he’s by Bettor’s Delight and they tend to lift their game when the money’s up.”

Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.16pm

“She has a bit of speed but is not as tractable as Linda - she doesn’t handle the corners quite as well and might be a little better left-handed. But she’s as good as any of them at the moment and, in the small field, should get her chance.”

Race 2: Lincoln Linda
6.16pm

“Though drawn the outside, she should really be the one to beat, based on her trial. She’s quite a strong filly, who is well gaited and should go forward. Maurice (McKendry) has driven her two or three times and he likes her.”

Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.08pm

“He should be dangerous against what is not a wonderful bunch. He trialled well, a nose behind Lewey Maguire (home in 56.4). All three of mine are nice horses and should be right there.”

Race 4: Tyson
7.08pm

“He was laying in on the corners last time at Cambridge and it was just a sprint home. He needs to be driven a bit more aggressively - he’s gone his best races when he’s been put in the race. Remember he sat parked when third to Arna’s good one (Chase Me) in December. He can tough it.”

Race 4: Colonel Lincoln
7.08pm

“He’s training down well, as good as you could expect. He’s done nothing wrong in three starts back. The outside draw is an inconvenience but, when he slots in, he won’t be far off them.”

Race 7: Kevin Kline
8.38pm

“He got held up last time and the winner got away on him. He should get a nice trip from one. He’ll go another honest race and will be in it for a while.”

Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
8.38pm

“She could be quite a nice filly. The way she’s developing I think she’ll be competitive against the better fillies later in the year. She’s quite versatile and can race tough. She has a lot of potential.”

Race 7: Frisco Bay
8.38pm

“He’d be on a par with Debbie for speed but he can get a bit carried away. Hopefully he can get a nice suck into it. I can’t fault the way they’re training and whichever of the two gets the best trip should win.”

Whales Harness