Watch Frankie fly on Friday night and win exes from sponsor IRT for flight south

Friday night’s IRT Pace at Cambridge, appropriately, looks to be at the mercy of Frankie Major.

Just four days after the race, Lincoln Farms’ speedy two-year-old will board an IRT flight to Christchurch to prepare for the $170,000 Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes Final on IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup day at Addington.

Frankie Major is sixth in the ranking order for the final after his courageous second to Beach Flybye in the fourth series heat run at Alexandra Park six days ago.

Driver David Butcher was forced to abort his early charge from wide out of the gate that night and ease to four deep on the markers, his chances looking a little grim when still second last 500 metres from home with hot favourite Seve making play in front.

But the Art Major colt showed why trainer Ray Green has always liked him when he tracked Beach Flybye into the race and powered home to be beaten only half a length.

It only served to underline how Frankie Major has come on this preparation, after twice running close seconds to the unbeaten Merlin last month.

“He’s been racing some of the best two-year-olds in the country so this is a big step down from that,” Green said.

“If you were framing a market, he’d definitely be on top. He’s a way better horse than his opposition here.”

Drawing four on Friday will also give Butcher plenty of options, Frankie Major having the gate speed to lead if he wants or the acceleration off a horse’s back to come with a late charge.

Copy That aside, Green sees the champ’s little half brother My Copy as the next best chance in the eighth race.

While his form line looks to have fractured, and he starts from three on the second row, he meets much easier rivals this week.

Though only ninth at Auckland last week, My Copy drew the outside of the gate and ended up five deep, from where he was never going to threaten.

But he was noticed putting in his best work late to get within six lengths of winner Bet West.

“I thought he went quite well last time. He’s getting stronger and better.

“I think he’ll go a good race on Friday but, even though it’s an easier field, he’s at the mercy of the front line.

“It would be nice if he could punch through and get handy and not have to circumnavigate the field.”

Maiden Whiz On Bye starts the night for Lincoln Farms in the second race, drawn perfectly to turn around his poor form line.

“The inside draw will help, because he gets out quite well. He’s no champion, obviously, but hopefully he can hold up in the first three or four to the first corner and then he’ll be a chance.

“He’s had good excuses (hampered) in his last couple.”

Two races later Major Grace will need luck starting from two on the second row.

“Hopefully the two horse (Matai Meghan) will go out - if it goes back we’re buggered. I know she hasn’t won in 22 starts but very rarely has she had a decent trip.”