20 July 2020 | Paul Courts – APG
AUSTRALIAN Pacing Gold purchase Major Occasion led home a ‘Down Under’ trifecta in the $172,850 Dorothy Haughton Memorial at The Meadowlands this afternoon.
Driven by former New Zealand reinsman Dexter Dunn, Major Occasion enjoyed a pegs run before completing a 50/1 upset over hot favourite Shartin.
Beginning well from the pole, Major Occasion gained the perfect trail as Kissin In The Sand led the field to an opening quarter of 26.1 seconds.
With Shartin sent forward to pressure the pacemaker, they reached the three-quarters in 1:21.1.
Gaining a saloon passage along the pegs during the latter stages, Major Occasion sprinted to a neck win in a stakes record 1:48.1.
Soho Burning Love was a solid third.
“It’s a surprise, but she’s actually been racing really well,” Dunn said. “Her last quarters have been 25 (seconds); she just hasn’t been handling the last turn.
“They changed her hopples and she paced a lot better. We got a lucky trip, but she’s a nice mare.”
Trained by Richard Norman, Major Occasion is owned by Enzed Racing Stable.
Prepared by Chris Frisby in Australia, the daughter of Art Major crossed the equator with a record of 15 wins and 19 placings from 49 starts.
Major Occasion has won four of her 11 American starts this season, taking her bankroll to $331,490.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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