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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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.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 3: Argyle
9.04pm NZ time
“I thought his last two starts have been terrific. There’s no doubt this race is tougher, and he has trickier draw, but I was talking to Angus last night and he was quite upbeat about his chances. He said the horse gave him a good feel when he sat parked two starts back and he picked him too (in the draft). But it won’t be easy. There could be a bit of pressure early. I think he’ll come out and see what unfolds and, if there is too much pressure, he’ll drive him quietly.”
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: Onyx Shard
5.29pm
“You can put a line through her last run at Cambridge when she pulled up showing signs of a respiratory infection. She had a couple of weeks off after that and, while she hasn’t trialled since, she’s been training down nicely. She’s a nice filly and from the good draw should really win.”
Race 3: Lincoln La Moose
6.19pm
“He wasn’t far away in the amateur race at Auckland last time despite jumping a shadow early and galloping. This is a decent drop in class for him and he should be very competitive.
