Frankie Major (Monika Ranger), inner, slugs it out with topliner Merlin at Auckland last September.
Frankie Major not quite there yet but still a chance against weak Cambridge opposition
By Barry Lichter • 19 July 2023
Trainer Ray Green reckons it might take one more run before we see Frankie Major at his best but, on sheer ability, he should still be right in contention in the sixth race at Cambridge on Thursday night.
Frankie Major ($6, $2.10) was resuming from a five-month spell and some fisticuffs with a virus when he dropped out in the run home at Auckland last Friday to run last.
But it’s not as if he performed badly, driver Maurice McKendry actually reported he thought he was going to win 600 metres from home after enjoying a trail behind the leader from the outset.
“He just got too tired up the straight,” Green said. “You had to expect that - he hadn’t done much for a while.
“If he was on his game, you’d be all over him on Thursday but I think he’ll need another run before we see the best of him.
“He should still race well, from the good draw, but Irish Whispers is obviously a tidy horse.”
Frankie Major, who contested the up-to-rating 58 race last week won by his stablemate Lincoln River, drops to a rating 47 to 54 event this week.
But his rating of 48 is not an accurate reflection of his ability, having dropped down the ratings at the tail end of his last campaign.
At his peak, Frankie Major was bashing heads with the best three-year-olds, twice running second to Merlin and once second behind Beach Flybye.
In his last start of that prep he ran 2:40 flat when seventh in the Harness Million at Auckland behind Merlin, Sooner The Bettor, Sinbad, Son Of Mac, Charlie Brown and Alta Meteor.
He also took on the best in the Sires’ Stakes Final at Addington in cup week when, from a debilitating 13 draw, he ran eighth to Don’t Stop Dreaming, Sherlock, Alta Meteor, Merlin, OK Boomer, Carrera Rapido amd Final Collect when the winner ran a slick mile rate of 1:53.6 for the 1980 metres.
More news in Harness
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A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Nate having a last spin round on his wee mate Eric - and he’s in with a very good chance
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
