Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Most punters considered the Epona Mares Earn $10K Credits Pace for two-year-olds at Gloucester Park on Friday night would develop into a match between the Greg and Skye Bond-trained geldings Thenu Came Along ($2) and Thelittle Master ($2.45).
But $7 chance Artful Major provided an excellent example of his potential when he emerged triumphant, beating Ideal Muscle ($17) and Off The Charts ($4.60) convincingly, rating 1.57.3 over the 2130m trip.
Thenu Came Along set the pace from Off The Charts in an Indian file affair until Gary Hall Jnr eased Artful Major off the pegs in fourth place to race without cover at the bell. The third quarter was then run 28.6sec. and Artful Major got to the front 100m from home before winning in good style. Thenu Came Along wilted to finish fourth, with Thelittle Master in fifth place in the field of six.
Boyanup trainer Justin Prentice said that Artful Major, having only his fifth start, was on a learning curve. “He is green, stopping and starting and never knowing when to go,” he explained.
Prentice purchased Artful Major for $67,500 at the Melbourne yearling sale in 2022, and the gelding has now earned $19,604 from two wins and two placings for his syndicate of owners.
“I went to the Melbourne sales because we didn’t get anything much at the Perth sale, and I picked Artful Major out because he is a lovely type and is from a nice enough family,” said Prentice.
“He will stay in work, and I’ll give him some more education before he goes for a break.”
Artful Major is the fifth foal out of the Live Or Die mare Tara Royale, who raced 73 times for 15 wins, 12 placings and $125,294 in stakes. He is a half-brother to Delightful Tara, who has had 52 starts for 12 wins, 11 placings and $109,972.