Major Major's Queensland Derby Tour Of Duty

CLOSE relations Major Major and Pump It have drawn to suit in respective heats of Thursday night's Group 2 Queensland Derby and Futurity heats (520m) at Albion Park.

Major Major (Fernando Bale-Split Image) is the only visitor from interstate for either of the heats of the classic series and South Australian trainer Troy Murray has sent the dog to Brisbane conditioner Greg Brennan.

“I was hoping to take him myself, but with COVID a worry all the time, we decided to send him to Greg for the heats,” said Troy.

Major Major, winner of 22 races and $84,000 and with success in the Group 3 Gawler Gold Cup to boast, has come up with box one for the opening heat of the Derby.

“He arrived with Greg in great order and he's not a dog who needs a run on the track, especially now he's drawn the rails,” said Troy.

“He handles any track wherever he goes.”

Major Major is on trial too for the rich group races coming up at Albion Park in the New Year and Troy said the dog's litter brother, Group 1 Adelaide Cup winner Golden Night, would also make the trip.

Golden Night cut a foot in a heat of the Melbourne Cup and will have a few weeks off to recover.

“He's the sort of dog who goes crazy if he does not work,” said Troy.

Major Major has won his past three including a 29.56 win at Angle Park on November 26.

Mark Saal's Pump It (Collision-Simply An Angel) has come up with the rails in her heat of the Futurity and Saal is relieved the bitch's box draw run of bad luck could have turned.

Major Major's dam Split Image is a litter sister to Pump It's dam Simply An Angel.

Saal reeled off some stats for his bitch proving what poor luck she has had in box draws.

“She's had six box sixes in her past 10 starts,” he said.

Her gives her a great chance in the heats from the rails.

“She's had 36 race starts to this point and is still learning how to race,” said Saal.

“She's the greenest greyhound I've ever had.”

But also one of the best. Her 29.68 novice victory at Albion Park back in April is a class record.

“She is very, very strong and I'm even thinking now she could be stayer of the future,” he said.

Saal expects Mayoress, boxed in the two, to lead his bitch early but also expects if Pump It is within the first three going around the first turn she can win the heat.