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
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
