A sustained run from Major Roll to take down hot favourite Heart Of Cooper has impressed trainer-driver Stephen Maguire.
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Maguire and Major Roll took out the second heat of the MIA Breeders Plate on Friday night.
The Mirrool horseman is looking to add a second Leeton feature to his resume and was pleased by how the son of Roll With Joe handled his first race start.
“He went good,” Maguire said.
“I’m very happy with him.
“He’s been working nice, got around and did everything right – that was the main part.”
After being involved in the early battle for the front, Major Roll ($6) settled three back along the pegs before moving around the field with just over a lap to run.
He chased down the $1.40 chance to win by 2.7 metres.
Carribbean Rocket ($14.10) was whopping 70.10 metres away in third
Major Roll’s mile rate of 2:00.6 was over a second faster than the time recorded by Petes Big Jim in the earlier heat.
It gives Maguire confidence heading into the $40,000 final on January 26.
“He has a bit of bottom,” he said.
“He’s a nice little horse, he’s no champion but he’s well gaited.”
The heat win was one of two victories for Maguire on the night.
He also scored with Loorrim Creek with an aggressive drive helping the five-year-old rediscover his form.
Maguire was pleased to see him back near his best.
“He went good and went like he went at Menangle,” he said.