Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
New South Wales-bred four-year-old Spicey Major gave champion reinsman Gary Hall Jnr a torrid time before winning at his West Australian debut at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Spicey Major was a solidly-supported $2.20 favourite from the No. 6 barrier when he flew out and burst straight to the front, leaving the polemarker and $2.90 second fancy Rockandrollartist in his wake.
The quarters whizzed by in 29.6sec., 28.2sec., 29sec. and 29.5sec. as Spicey Major romped to victory, three lengths ahead of Rockandrollartist, rating a smart 1.55.4.
“I had no intention of going forward early, but he was pushing the mobile and I had no chance of getting him back,” said Hall. “So, I had to go to Plan X, and I thought he was millions in the run because he was hitting a wheel and was pulling hard.
“And he got more keen every time a horse got near him, and he kept taking off. He won’t win too many more races, racing like that. There’s a motor there but I’ve got to sort him out and settle him down.”
Spicey Major raced 34 times in Victoria for six wins, at Warragul (1790m), Yarra Valley (2150m), Bendigo (1650m), Kilmore (1690m), Cranbourne (2080m) and Melton (1200m) as well as being placed eight times.
He is by Art Major and is the sixth foal out of champion mare Ima Spicey Lombo, who amassed $483,686 from 24 wins and 13 placings from 57 starts. Spicey Major’s record now stands at seven wins, eight placings and $49,945 in stakes from 35 starts.