Trainer Olivieri eyes Fremantle Cup for Major Times

Major Times scored by 7.3m over The Bird Dance in Friday’s $50,000 Furphy Bunbury Pacing Cup (2569m) at Donaldson Park. The six-year-old, making his third start in WA after being sent over from Victoria, rated 1.57.0 in his second consecutive win for trainer Ross Olivieri. After settling in sixth position during the opening lap, reinsman Chris Voak decided to send Major Times out wide down the home straight. The pace he showed during this manoeuvre could have sent shivers down the spine, even on such a humid night. Once level with leader The Bird Dance, Voak managed to stay in control and never seriously looked like being challenged for the rest of the journey. Bunbury flyer Bletchley Park ran third for trainer Stephen Reed, while his stablemate Lord Rosco finished fourth. After the race, Olivieri flagged a path the Victorian could potentially go down. “I don’t want to sound cocky, but we haven’t yet seen anywhere near the best of him,” Olivieri said. “He has enormous potential and there’s a lot more improvement in him from tonight’s race. “There’s no doubt he’s a strong prospect for the Fremantle Cup and WA Pacing Cup.”