Swamp Major primed for big season

This time twelve months ago, Swamp Major looked a two year old that was capable of competing for harness racing divisional honours amongst the juveniles.

 

Two outstanding seconds behind Lazarus in the Young Gun Series had signalled that the son of Art Major was good enough to challenge in most of the major races to follow.

 

However on returning to Christchurch, Swamp Major was bedeviled by minor issues to the point that trainer Ken Barron tipped him out in the end for a long spell. 

 

Fast forward twelve months and after a long and slow build up, Swamp Major made his long awaited racetrack resumption at Ascot Park today at their Invercargill Cup day meeting.

 

Even though Swamp Major had drawn barrier eight at the 2200 metres, punters made him a $1:40 shot on the strength of his two great runs at two.

 

Sent straight to the front by driver Blair Orange, Swamp Major always looked in total control throughout the race and when Blair gave him his head on the corner, he scooted clear and held them at bay without being seriously threatened.

 

 

Blair Orange was happy to have got the show back on the road.

 

“That was just the kind of race he needed first up.”

 

“It has been a long slow build up after all those little niggles at two and he is going to need a few runs to get back to full race fitness.”

 

“He is entered in the Futurity in which you have to start twice down here so the plans are for him to stay down and race again next week.”

 

“As to future plans, we will have to see how he progresses over the next few weeks.”

 

“He does hold a nomination for the New Zealand Derby but we will just see how things progress before making any firm plans,” Blair said.

 

The big upstanding son of Art Major has already shown he can mix it with the very best at two and he would certainly add plenty of interest to the upcoming three year old classics if he can get back to that form.