Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Veteran pacer Major Freeway ended a losing sequence of 37 and broke a lean spell of 33 months when he excelled in the role of pacemaker and won the $21,000 JMD Pressure And Window Cleaning Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Major Freeway, who had been unplaced at his five starts this year for Byford trainer Shane Quadrio, was a $9.20 chance from the favourable No. 2 barrier, and champion reinsman Chris Lewis had no trouble in sending him straight to the front and setting the pace on the way to winning by a half-length from the $1.80 favourite Chasing Hill, who raced without cover.
Major Freeway was always going to be hard to beat after coasting through the lead time in 38.1sec. and the opening quarters in 31.1sec. and 30.1sec. He covered the final 400m sections in 28.5sec. and 29sec. and fought on courageously after Chasing Hill had edged his way to a narrow lead with 400m to travel.
Nine-year-old Major Freeway is raced by Quadrio, his wife Terri, his mother Dawn and his sister-in-law Marion Hudson.
Quadrio said that he bought Major Freeway about six months ago after he had been advertised for sale by Busselton owner-trainer Barry Howlett.
“We wanted to have a bit of fun with a horse at Gloucester Park who would be competitive,” said Quadrio. “We got him for a good value, and hopefully he has turned the corner and can win some more races.” He has had 16 starts for his new owners for one win and five placings.
Major Freeway is by Art Major and is the second foal out of Armbro Operative mare Eliza Grace, who raced 49 times for seven wins, 12 placings and $61,588.