Major Command, a pacer that had good grass track form during a brief stint of racing in New Zealand, reveled on his return to the turf at Allman Park to score a hard fought victory in the Garrard’s 2015 Warwick Cup (1950m) on Sunday.
The 8yo son of Art Major from the Western Hanover mare Petousa is trained and raced by the Scott family from the Darling Downs Scenic Rim region and has had an interesting career.
Originally trained by Gavin Lang in Victoria, the gelding raced for trainer/driver Mark Burley in New Zealand during 2014 before returning to race in New South Wales with that stable. Marg Scott purchased the horse last year and had instant success winning in October at Albion Park.
During its 10 starts in NZ, Major Command showed a liking for grass tracks and posted a victory at Thames and connections decided to chase the Warwick Cup.
Trained by Marg’s daughter Rachel Scott, Major Command was driven in the Cup by Rob Gorman and he staged a great duel with grass track supremo Darrel Graham driving Major Sam to fight out the finish. Despite racing wide early Major Command ($25.40) showed true grit to stave off Major Sam ($4.70) and win by 1.3 metres with $2.70 race favourite Remember Them, which led for most of the race, beaten 7.1 metres in third place. Local favourite Magnussen, driven by Warwick trainer Dayl March finished fourth.
Gorman said Major Command just kept giving and seemed to love the grass surface.
“When he was challenged, he just kept going,” Gorman said. “This horse had a good record on grass in NZ and adapted well here. “We’d like to see more races on the grass tracks, not only for this horse but as you can see by the attendance and the response from trainers here today it’s going well.”
Gorman completed a Cup day double winning the final race, the Tradie’s Cup on Cee Uin L A.
Other winners on the program included Triumphant March (Isobell Ross) winning the Warwick Industrial Estate Cup. Local Dayl March trained a double taking out the Automotive Retailers & Associates Cup with The Hairy Huntsman and the Palace Hotel Thirsty Camel Cup with March With Ors.
Clint Sneddon drove Its Three By Two to win the Coy Family Cup Trot and Darrel Graham won the Jeff Hannaford Chartered Accountant Cup driving Major Montana. Julie Weidemann was successful in the Cup curtain raiser, the JJ Bunch Memorial Lyons Street Cup driving Pepperall.
A tremendous crowd attended the Father’s Day Charity race meeting which featured seven pacing races and a trot handicap.
Darling Downs Harness Racing president and secretary, Anthony Collins said he was impressed with the high percentage of families and children at the track. “It’s been a great result and pleasing to see that our hard work has paid off,” Collins said. “I’m so proud of my team and we look forward to continue to make this this day the best grass track race meeting on the Queensland calendar.” Major sponsor Chris “CJ” Garrard (Garrards Horse & Hound) also pledged his ongoing support for the event. He asked all patrons to stand and applaud the organisers for the outstanding Cup day.
“We intend to be back next year and hopefully we can make the Cup even more attractive with better prizemoney,” Garrard said.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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