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.
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Fergie tips
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 1: What’s Up The Hill
4.14pm
“That was a big improvement on Sunday and I thought he’d won. I suggested they put a loose headcheck on him after his last start and that definitely helped. He’ll be a chance again on Tuesday, as long as he backs up, and he seemed pretty relaxed after the race.”
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
4.39pm
“Blinkers go on this time and, from one, it looks to be his best chance. I’ll be coming out fast and trying to lead and the way he felt on the first day, and with the make-up of the field, I think he can. It’s taken a few runs to get him sharper this time in, he’s been a bit lacklustre, but he’s ready to go now.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
5.29pm
“She might have run only fourth on the first day but went massive really. If she can just be one place closer in the running, she would go close.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Sugar Ray Lincoln
4.38pm
“He’s trained on well and on his best form, he’d be hard to beat. But I don’t know what to expect from him, he’s a hard horse to read.”
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
4.38pm
“She can’t win. She’s only in the race because there’s nowhere else to go at the moment. She’s in a very unfair spot in the ratings.”
Race 5: Lincoln La Moose
6.53pm
“He’s very honest and from one he’ll get a nice trip, which will help, but he’s really just going round to lose rating points.”
Race 10: Lincoln Linda
9.24pm
“On her speed alone she has to be a chance. We’ve got her geared up so she’s not trying to kill herself any more. We’re using a different bit which gives the driver more control over her and she’s submitted to it well in training.”
Race 10: Angelic Copy
9.24pm
“She had a minor tie-up earlier in the week but I’m not too worried as she’s bouncing around today. We get her blood test back on Thursday, and we won’t risk her if she’s not right, but if she lines up, she’ll race pretty well. She’s a proper little racehorse and you can’t fault what she’s done.”
