Boyanup trainer-reinsman Justin Prentice has got the well-performed former New Zealand pacer Our Sky Major back on track after two disappointing efforts by the five-year-old at his first two starts in Western Australia in June and he has high hopes of a harness racing victory in the $25,000 Marathon Handicap at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Our Sky Major will need to be at his best to overcome the disadvantage of starting off the 30m mark. But he is undoubtedly the class runner in the field of 12, with earnings of $786,407 from 16 wins and 18 placings from 56 starts,
None of his rivals can boast such an outstanding record, which includes three group 1 victories — the $100,000 Messenger Championship at Alexandra Park, the $150,000 Emerald at Canterbury and the $120,000 Chariots of Fire at Menangle as a four-year-old, as well as a win in the group 2 Paleface Adios Stakes at Menangle. He also has been placed in two other group 1 events.
Our Sky Major warmed up for this week’s assignment in fine style with a stylish victory at a 1.57.4 rate in a 2536m mobile event at Gloucester Park on Tuesday of last week.
The son of Art Major started from the outside (barrier No. 9) on the front line and was restrained to the rear. He was still in 12th position after a lap before Prentice sent him forward, three wide, with 1250m to travel. He was sixth at the bell and got to the front 250m from the post and went on to win by a length from Livura, with final sectionals of 28.4sec. and 28.3sec.
Prentice will be looking for his second success in the Marathon after he scored a thrilling last-stride victory by a head over the pacemaker Move Over in 2011. He also has driven placegetters in three other Marathons, finishing third with Global Force in 2008, second with Anvils Big Punt in 2012 and second with This Time Dylan in 2014.
This Time Dylan’s trainer Michael Brennan is confident of a strong showing from his emerging five-year-old Naughty Maravu, who will start off the 10m mark and will be driven by Gary Hall jun.
Naughty Maravu has returned to top form in recent weeks. He dashed to the front after 650m and set a solid pace when he beat Our Sky Major in a 2503m stand at Gloucester Park two starts ago. Our Sky Major finished determinedly from seventh at the bell to finish a half-length from the winner.
Then Naughty Maravu started from 50m in a 2503m stand when he raced three wide for much of the way and finished a head second to Assassinator.
Hall has won the Marathon behind Im Themightyquinn in 2010 and Code Red in 2012, as well as finishing head seconds with Vintage Concerto in 2007 and Norvic Nightowl last year. e also droive Why Live Dangerlusly into bthird place behind Glacier Star in 2011. He also finished third with Why Live Dangerously in 2011.
Phoenix Warrior, who will share the 30m back mark with Our Sky Major and Courage Tells, will have many admirers. Phoenix Warrior, trained by Greg and Skye Bond, impressed with a strong win in a 2536m mobile at Gloucester Park last Friday week when he started from the outside of the back line and sustained a powerful burst over the final 1500m to beat Courage Tells at a 1.58.1 rate.
Phoenix Warrior started off 20m and 30m, respectively, at his two previous outings over 2503m when he covered a good deal of extra ground and fought on grandly to finish third to Our Jericho and second to Ohoka Cooper.
Ken Casellas