MAJOR OCCASION Photo by Ashlea Brennan
PROMINENT horseman Chris Frisby admits he was unsure what to make of his prospects heading into tonight’s Sibelia Stake at Tabcorp Park Menangle.
Due to contest the Group Two with Major Occasion, Frisby knew the Australian Pacing Gold purchase was “flying” but felt she was “in trouble” from barrier six.
To the trainer’s delight, the daughter of Art Major not only carried her track work into the feature, but the awkward draw proved to be of no consequence.
“I wasn’t overly confident from the draw,” Frisby said. “I felt she was in a bit of trouble from there.
“But at the same time I told Wardy (owner, Peter Ward) she was deadest working the house down. She was flying, working better than ever has!
“So I didn’t really know what to expect except she was ready to run a good race.”
Driven to perfection by Anthony Frisby, Major Occasion was caught leading the outside brigade, albeit well back from the pacemaker, Soho Burning Love.
Gradually eased to the leader’s wheel along the back straight, Major Occasion sustained a powerful sprint to forge her way to a neck win from the fast finishing Arts Treasure, with Bridget Blue Chip nine metres away third.
By covering the mile in 1:50.4, the four-year-old as earned a berth in the famed Ladyship Mile.
The Group One is scheduled to be run on March 2 as part of the phenomenal Miracle Mile program.
“She has always been thereabouts among the best of her crop and with natural progress I expected her to get better, but it just took longer than I would have liked this time in,” Frisby said.
“It has taken a fair few runs after a spell to get the weight off her and have her back to her best.
“She hadn’t races since winning at Melton two weeks ago, and with the Ladyship Mile on in two weeks, hopefully it can work out well again.”
