Trots Centre: Major’s time to make a statement

Unknowns will be laid bare from tonight with the TAB Smoken Up Sprint drawing together many who hope to challenge for pacing’s greatest prizes.

While Ride High will rightly headline proceedings as he attempts to become only the 29^th Australian pacer to record 12 consecutive victories since the turn of the century, it’s his rivals with most to prove on the cusp of the Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Cup.

Cruz, Sicario, Major Times, Code Black and Sirletic in particular have been earmarked for the $300,000 Grand Circuit feature, and tonight’s $50,000 sprint offers a final chance to press their claims.

“He’s definitely taken the next step this time in,” said Jodi Quinlan of Major Times, who she will steer tonight for trainer Emma Stewart.

Quinlan has partnered with him nine times since May, winning on four occasions and missing a place only one, when running 10^th last start after a torrid run.

“His last run was bad luck, he got left three wide, so just forget about it,” Quinlan said. “The run before that when he was third (at Bendigo) Emma and Clayton thought he was a touch disappointing.”

But, it’s the previous hit-out on August 8 that gives Quinlan confidence the Art Major entire, who like Ride High has breeding lines to outstanding mare Larrakeyah Lady, can mix it with the best.

“His run against Lochinvar Art when he beat him was enormous,” Quinlan said. “Lochinvar Art was obviously a bit off when he beat him, but it was still an enormous run. Hopefully we can recapture it.”

And she returns to it when contemplating her drive’s chances of appearing in next Saturday’s Victoria Cup.

“Not too many horses have beaten Lochinvar Art. He has still got that on his resume, that will hold him in good stead,” she said. “He just needs to run a good race (tonight) and if he does that he should be in.”

It’s a big if and there’s a big prize attached to it in the shape of the TAB Smoken Up Sprint, which has its seventh instalment tonight and a heck of an honour roll in Bitobliss (2014, 1:53.4), Lennytheshark (2015, 1:52.8 and 2017, 1:51.9), Bling It On (2016, 1:51.4), Wrappers Delight (2018, 1:52.5) and Cash N Flow (2019, 1:50.8).

A quick time’s expected again tonight with several on the front line expected to roll forward and then hope to sustain their run when Ride High, drawn outside the back row, makes his charge.

Quinlan is optimistic Major Times can use his early place to get a forward place from gate five.

“He hasn’t see the front row for a long time, so we will looking to being very forward,” she said.

“Last time he drew the front at Melton he speared off. Hopefully he will again show that pace and be fairly handy early.

“He is strong, he is mentally switched on and in the zone. They know his reputation is strength and if they take a sit on him it will get them a fair way.”

A good result would be a welcome relief amid what’s been a challenging week for Quinlan and her partner, trainer Craig Demmler.

The latter’s stable star, My Kiwi Mate, has been retired after fracturing a cannon bone in his hind leg at Melton last Saturday night, drawing the curtain on an outstanding career that produced 15 wins and 31 placings from 78 starts, $360,632 in stakes, an Inter Dominion final and 2017 Bendigo Cup.

“It is pretty shattering for us all,” Quinlan said. “He’s Craig’s baby. This horse is very hard to replace. He ran in an Inter Dominion series and been in a lot of great races.”

During surgery on Monday My Kiwi Mate had eight screws implanted and is “not out of the woods”, but is recovering at home and “so far so good”. “Hopefully everything goes well and he heals.”

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