Major Hot put his Queensland Derby campaign back on track with a strong win in a three year old event at Albion Park on Saturday but again here was suspense for owners the “Spankem” syndicate of the Kennards,Breckons, Gibbs and Woodhams but brought a welcome change of luck for caretaker trainers,David and Stacey White, who had suffered a cruel setback with rising trotting star Bet n Win last week which ended his own campaign. They are in charge of Major Hot for the latter stages of his campaign and like the owners had every reason to feel justice was served with Saturday’s win in the hands of former Kiwi driver,Adam Sanderson (pictured).
Major Hot started his Queensland campaign with a nice win but his luck changed for the worse after that not helped by tricky gates.Last week in the South East Derby Adam had to use him from a wide gate and when he reached the front he received plenty of attention from rivals being brave to the line in defeat.
At his previous run in the Redcliffe Derby he was locked up on the fence and virtually never got clear until the race was over closing rapidly in the short time he was able to be in clear air.
Saturday looked for a time a re run of that piece of misfortune.
From a second row gate Adam had little option but to stay on the hub rail and for much of the race had a nice run three back.But it didn’t look so good on the far turn of the last lap. Force Full the favourite was in the trail behind pacemaker Minos in the fastest quarter of the race. In fact it looked like getting a clear run in time to challenge was fairly remote. Then,a piece of luck.
Force Full came off the rail before the turn to mount his challenge early instead of waiting for the lane, allowing Major Hot to ease into a trail for the passing lane. Once he got into that it was all over. His time was a fraction outstide the Group Two the Hayden for older horses,closing in 28, comfortably clear.
“Major Hot will stay in the care of David and Stacey this week with his plans after that yet to be confirmed.” Nathan said. But Nathan’s early assessment of the youngster as having the natural talent to match the best looks up to the challenge of the carnival three year old male feature in the Derby next Saturday.