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
By Barry Lichter • 17 November 2022
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.
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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“She didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
