MAJOR LUCKY LOOKING FOR LUCK IN 2YO FEATURES
New Overport Lodge acquisiton Major Lucky is only likely to remain briefly in Canterbury for a crack at this month’s 2YO features.
While it is virtually impossible to improve the horse from top All Stars trainers, Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, his connections are hoping he holds his form.
With a touch of luck he could pick up some useful money in those races for his new Gold Coast owner Greg Brodie.
“He (Major Lucky) seems fine. We know he is below the top ones so he’s just here for the PGG Yearling Sales race and the NZ Sires Stakes race, and if he makes the Jewels he’ll stay for it, but he will need to earn more money,” Mark said.
Unfortunately for Major Lucky’s cause, any money won from Friday night’s $200,000 Listed PGG Wrightson NZ Yearling Sales 2YO Open Pace won’t help his Jewels cause as winnings from such races don’t contribute to Jewels qualifying.
However, any earnings from next week’s $170,000 Garrards NZ Sires Stakes Final at Addington will be added to his qualifying Jewels total.
Major Lucky, a half-brother by Art Major to last season’s top All Stars juvenile More The Better (1:53.3, eight wins & 10 placings from 19 starts for $435,207), is currently 12th on the leaderboard for the $150,000 Harness Jewels 2YO Emerald at Ashburton on June 4.
He’s earned $9900 from a win, a third, and two fourths, in six starts.
Major Lucky, was race-timed in 1:54.9 (1609m) when fourth first-up behind The Brooklyn Brawler in the NZ Kindergarten Stakes at Wyndham on Mar 4.
He subsequently won a maiden third-up at Invercargill on April 2, beating consistent maiden Lilac Flash in 2:45.6 (2200m).
Major Lucky did enough to enter the Sires Stakes frame when a five lengths third to former stablemates, The Devils Own and All U Need Is Faith, in a Garrards Sires Stakes Heat at Addington on April 21, the winner clocking a fast 2:19.9 (1:55.4 mile rate) for the 1950m.