Rookie Sydney trainer Bryce Heys believes his dour stayer Major Major can take an important step towards the spring in the Queensland Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Major Major was originally trained by Grahame Begg but was bought for an undisclosed sum by the Phillips family who race their horses under the Tovele syndicate banner.
They gave the horse to Heys who has been training in his own right at Warwick Farm for the past four months.
Heys is originally from New Zealand but spent six years working for John O’Shea at Randwick.
“We have about 20 horses in work but most of them are young. We are probably 12 months away from making an impact,” Heys said.
Major Major has had six starts for Heys for three thirds.
“However, I hope Major Major can develop into a more than handy stayer and we will find out on Saturday,” he said.
“It is great to have a runner in such a time honoured race.”
Major Major steps up to 3200m for the first time in the Queensland Cup.
He showed staying ability when he ran third over 2400m behind Phrases on the Kensington track and followed with another third over 2590m behind Jo Jo Girl on the Randwick course proper.
“They were going to be his final runs for this campaign but he showed us enough to tackle a Listed race,” Heys said.
“We have an idea in the back of our minds for a couple of races in the spring so we will see how he goes in this race.”
Kerrin McEvoy has ridden Major Major at his past two starts but is holidaying this week and Glen Colless, who is on the comeback trail after a tailbone injury, will take over.
“I tried to get Damian Browne but he couldn’t make the weight. Everyone who follows Queensland racing told me Glen was the man to get,” Heys said.
Colless is a noted patient rider and won the 1996 Queensland Cup on Smart Alex.
Meanwhile, trainer Barry Mitchell has elected to back up Caloundra Cup winner Brayroan in the Queensland Cup.
Brayroan scored an impressive win in Saturday’s Caloundra feature, his first victory since he was transferred to Mitchell.
Chris Munce will retain the mount.