Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Spicey Major, the $2 favourite, redeemed himself when he was on his best behaviour and set a fast pace on his way to winning the second heat of the Nights Of Thunder at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Trained and driven by Gary Hall Jnr, Spicey Major won the start from the No. 1 barrier when he easily held the $2.70 second fancy Heez A Vibe at bay. He then reeled off sparkling quarters of 28.4sec., 28.7sec., 28.2sec. and 28sec.and won by 5m from Chivalry ($11), rating 1.52.4 over 1730m.
His flawless display came a week after he had finished last as the $1.22 favourite in the Warwick Pace when he ruined his chances by contacting the mobile barrier arm and galloping badly.
“He has a bit of an attitude,” said Hall. “He does things wrong one week and then as soon as you start to dislike him, he gives you a reason to like him. He is a nice horse who needs to settle down a bit.”
Heez A Vibe, a brilliant last-start winner, wilted to finish seventh after racing without cover. Chivalry, who enjoyed a perfect sit in the one-out, one-back position, finished solidly into second place, a neck ahead of $12 chance Heavenly Wage, who trailed the pacemaker all the way.
Spicey Major and Chivalry (trained and driven by Lindsay Harper) are owned by Mick Boots, who will be hoping for another quinella result in next Friday night’s final. Spicey Major has earned $80,031 from eleven wins and eight placings from 43 starts.