Major Gibson Chasing Eight Straight At Townsville

“BLOCKBUSTING” Brad Belford takes exciting youngster Major Gibson into a graded race at Townsville on Tuesday night off a winning sequence of seven straight.

Major Gibson, the talk of the north after his recent win in the Townsville, has raced 15 times for 11 wins and $18,000 in stakes including victory in the Townsville Derby three runs back.

On Tuesday night he runs in a 498m 4th/5th Grade and seems certain to start hot favourite despite some reservations from Belford.

FIELDS & FORM TOWNSVILLE TUESDAY NIGHT

Major Gibson comes off a brilliant 10 length victory at Townsville on Friday winning in 29.06.

“He's probably going to be a short priced favourite, but Tuesday night's race is not as easy as some would think,” said Belford.

“Rhonda Essery has a very good dog called Stratford in the race and it has come up with the rails.”

Belford reasons that this will be the first time Major Gibson has been tested on a short back-up, three runs within eight days.

“You never know just how they will cope, especially a young dog like him which will not be two until November,” said Belford.

“But on Saturday morning I let him out and he was feeling fabulous. The run the previous night had not seemed to bother him."

Belford and a syndicate of owners bought the dog unraced from Kevin Gordon in NSW for $10,000 not long after education.

“The wraps were good about him and he has lived right up to them,” said Belford.

Tuesday night's run will be the last for a few weeks while Belford gives Major Gibson a short break before a series of feature races comes up.

“The North Queensland Cup at Townsville and the Country Cup with a final at Albion Park are on the agenda,” said Brad.

“Which means I would like to take him to Albion Park for a start before the Country Cup series gets underway.”

Belford says Tuesday night's race will be the biggest test of Major Gibson's short career, one that's netted 11 wins from 15 starts with a scorching 28.67 on his home track.