27 September 2018 | Ken Casellas
Champion trainer Gary Hall Snr has just purchased promising New Zealand three-year-old Major Trojan on behalf of stable clients and will set the son of Art Major for the rich WA Derby next May.
Hall, who has won four of the past six the WA Derbies with New Zealand youngsters Alta Christiano, Beaudiene Boaz, Chicago Bull and King of Swing, was impressed when Major Trojan scored a superb first-up victory at Alexandra Park last Friday.
After starting from barrier five, Major Trojan settled down in second place before bursting to the front after 400m and then setting a solid pace and winning by four lengths from the fast-finishing Bettorstartdreaming. He dashed over the final 800m in 56.9sec. and the last 400m in 28.4sec. and rated 1.56.6 over the 2200m journey.
That was Major Trojan’s second start. After he made his debut at Addington early in February this year when second to Heisenberg over 1950m the colt fractured a cannon bone which kept him out of action for seven months.
Major Trojan, who is trained by Michael Purdon and has been driven at his two starts by Nathan Purdon, is a full-brother to the brilliant but injury-plagued The Odd Lover, who has managed to contest only 22 races for 12 wins, seven seconds and one third for earnings of $117,681.
Beaudiene Boaz, winner of the 2015 WA Derby, has died in the South West of the State after being retired to stud. The cause of death is believed to be a snake bite.
Beaudiene Boaz was an outstanding performer for Hall, winning four group 1 events, four group 2s, one group 3 and two listed classics. His major victories were the Golden Slipper in 2014, the WA Derby the following year, the Golden Nugget championship in 2015 and the 2016 Fremantle Cup.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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