Decision Time After Major Victory

18 September 2017 | Chris Barsby
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Thumper: Major Cam proved triumphant when downing Avonnova at Albion Park on Saturday night

Thumper: Major Cam proved triumphant when downing Avonnova at Albion Park on Saturday night Photo by Dan Costello

An absolute thumping is now posing many questions.

Emerging star Major Cam confirmed his reputation following his crushing victory over triple Queensland Horse of the Year Avonnova at Albion Park last weekend.

Prepared by Kylie Rasmussen and Darren Weeks, the lightly raced six-year-old Art Major gelding sat parked over the last lap while pulling clear of his rivals in a final half of 54.1 seconds.

The winning margin was decisive.

It was his 18th victory from 31 starts.

And it was easily his most impressive.

Now, connections have some thinking to do with a number of feature targets looming.

Originally, Major Cam was heading to the spelling paddock for a short let-up before returning for his home state features during the summer carnival in December and then heading south for a Sydney campaign.

“The Victoria Cup has been mentioned and it’s fast approaching so it’s now in the mix but I think the original plan is best. He was unbelievable winning on the weekend.” Weeks said.

The Gr.1 $200,000 Allied Express Victoria Cup on October 14 at TABCORP Park, Melton officially starts the 2017/18 Australian Pacing Gold Grand Circuit season and is being targeted by a number of proven and emerging stars.

Major Cam, also known as Elliot, would not look out place in the 2240m mobile start feature.

“We’ll talk it over in the coming days and make a decision soon; we have to weigh up all the logistics of the trip and double check available flights.

“We were hoping to start him in one of the features during the recent winter carnival but we had to scratch him one night owing to a high temperature.

“We believe he will reach a better level but the local features in December followed by a Sydney campaign might be the best path to take.”

The Gr.3 $30,540 Be Good Johnny Sprint will be staged at Albion Park on December 2 followed by the Gr.2 $60,540 Queensland Cup on December 16.

The Sydney target is likely to be the Gr.1 $100,000 Bohemia Crystal FFA at TABCORP Park, Menangle on February 24, an event won by older half-brother Western Cam back in 2009.

Major Cam is raced by Cheryl Rasmussen, mother of Kylie, Natalie and Vicki – all accomplished horse women in their own right.

 

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