Frankie Major is comfortably holding Throwyaarmsaroundme at the finish. PHOTO: Megan Liefting./Race Images.
Frankie electric off the gate to take Magness Benrow spoils in the slush at the Park
By Barry Lichter • 31 December 2023
Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street were delighted to close out the harness racing season with a win by Frankie Major at Auckland tonight.
It was Frankie Major’s third win of the season for the stable - second only to Lincoln River’s 2023 haul of four - and came, appropriately, in the Magness Benrow Pace.
“I’m rapt we won this race because it’s sponsored by John Magness whom I have admired for years as a businessman,” John Street said. “He’s 78 and a legend.”
The architect of the win, the 29th harness success of the year for Lincoln Farms - including six in Australia - was undoubtedly Alexandra Park’s leading reinsman Zachary Butcher.
Owner John Street, right, thanks sponsor John Magness, left, after Frankie Major’s win.Trainer Ray Green revealed it was Butcher who suggested an aggressive gate drive in the heavy, rain-affected going, despite his six alley.
“Zac said we should have a dab for the front. He got there easily and kicked sand in their faces.”
From the cockpit, Butcher rated the Art Major three-year-old to perfection and held out a home stretch challenge from the favourite Throwyaarmsaroundme by a length, having only to run closing sectionals of 59.6 and 30.8 for an overall time of 2:43.9 for the 2200 metres.
It was Butcher’s fourth win on the colt and his sixth in all, which, along with nine seconds and three thirds boosted his stake earnings to $86,200.
“He’s always been a nice little horse,” said Green of the $60,000 2021 Christchurch yearling buy.
“He was a standout when we got him going, because he was such a natural and did everything right.”
Pipped a nose on his two-year-old debut, Frankie Major butted heads early with some talented age group horses but Green said, on the whole, they’d tried to protect him from the Merlins and Don’t Stop Dreamings of the harness world.
“And he responded by slowly but surely maturing. He just took a while to strengthen but he’s now a versatile tradesman and I knew the wet track wouldn’t worry him.”
Tonight’s win brought to 17 the number of individual pacers who won races for Lincoln Farms this season, the most prolific Lincoln River (four), Frankie Major (three) and Copy That (three).
The undoubted highlight of the season was that by Lincoln River at Alexandra Park in June, when John and Lynne Street brought up their 1000th win as owners. It was their 573rd harness win to go with 427 with gallopers.
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Our runners this week
Sunday at Manawatu
Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Lincoln La Moose.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.26pm
“She had to sit parked most of the way last time but still went well, and that’s what she does. She’s proven to be a very promising filly and, while it’s hard these days to win without a good trip, it’s an even field and she’s a good chance again.”
Race 2: Lincoln Lou
5.55pm
“He probably cost himself a win last week by going roughly, but he can do that. If he’d got Frisco Bay’s trip he would have won with his closing quarters of 56 and 27 the fastest in the race. He’s just got to do things right to be the one to beat, even from the bad draw, as it’s an easier field.”
Race 5: Frisco Bay
7.30pm
“He’s up in grade a bit but I don’t think there’s anything between them. He’s just got to get the right run and, with his speed, he’ll be right in it.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.59pm
“He’s no superstar but he’s very honest and he’s always a place chance as he’s a tough bugger, he sat parked last week.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.59pm
“With a similar run to last week, he’d be right in it. He clocked 55.8 and 27.7, doing his best work at the finish. He hasn’t gone a bad race since he’s come back.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.59pm
“I wasn’t expecting him to do anything on debut as he’s a green, young horse. But he went very well so he’s obviously lifted his game for the occasion. And he’s trained on even better so the experience has enhanced him. From the inside he has to be a good chance.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.59pm
“She’s definitely a better animal left-handed but she was passable right-handed and should go better this time. She’s got some speed.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.59pm
“She’s a nice filly but is behind the others. I don’t expect her to beat anything but she needs the experience.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.59pm
“There won’t be any shadows for her to jump this time so she has to be a serious chance. She’d been dominant at the workouts and trials before her debut but didn’t get the chance to show her true worth.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.59pm
“Fergie was quite impressed with him on debut and requested the drive again. He finished on strongly up the lane and should go well again. He just needs some luck from the outside of the gate.”
