Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Seven-year-old gelding Cheer the Major has always been a laid-back customer and has never been a real trier, according to his owner Barry Howlett.
“But he is getting better and is improving,” said Howlett after Kyle Symington had driven Cheer The Major to an all-the-way win in the 2130m Fly Like An Eagle Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Cheer The Major, trained by Gary Elson, was the $4.20 second fancy from the coveted No. 1 barrier, and he had to be driven vigorously by Symington to take up the running after being beaten out by Ifeel Sikdarl and Illawong Mustang.
After a fast lead time of 35.1sec. Cheer The Major was able to coast through the opening 400m in a slow 32.4sec. before reasonable quarters of 30.1sec., 29.1sec. and 29.6sec. on his way to winning by just under a length from $91 outsider Illawong Mustang, who trailed the leader before finishing with a spirited burst. The $5 chance The Miki Taker, who raced in the breeze in the middle stages and took a narrow lead 450m from home, finished third.
Howlett prepared the New Zealand-bred Cheer The Major for three wins (two at Pinjarra and one at Bunbury) before he had the pacer gelded.
“He was out for a long time in the paddock when I had too many horses in work to bring him back,” said Howlett. “Gary (Elson) had broken in a few horses for me, and I asked if he would like to take Cheer The Major, instead of him sitting in the paddock.”
Cheer The Major was off the scene for 26 months, and he won at his first start for Elson when he set the pace in a race at Pinjarra. He is a good frontrunner and has also performed well in a sit-sprint capacity. He now has raced 56 times for seven wins, 21 placings and stakes of $77,178.