A LONG neck - that is how close Chris Frisby's Major Occasion came to upsetting star mare Shartin N at America's Dover Downs track on Thursday (AEDST).
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While Bathurst trainer-owner Frisby enjoyed a good run with Major Occasion in 2019 as she won the Group 2 Sibelia Stakes and was runner-up in the Group 1 Ladyship Mile, Shartin N was on fire in the United States.
The Kiwi import earned close to $US1 million as she won 15 of her 19 races and was voted the Harness Horse of the Year.
It meant that even though Shartin N was first up in the special $50,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational Pace at Dover Downs, she was the hot $2.60 favourite.
While Frisby had initially planned to have Major Occasion in foal, he opted against that and sent her to America in September last year.
She is now trained by Nifty Norman.
The six-year-old Art Major x Fake Occasion mare had won her last start at Dover Downs - saluting in a fillies and mares open handicap on February 26 - and came so close to going back-to-back on Thursday.
Adding another Bathurst link, it was Andrew McCarthy in the gig instead of regular reinsman Dexter Dunn.
"When I heard Andy was driving I was okay with that, he's one of the family," Frisby said.
"Well, he's not actually part of the family, but it's like he is, I seen him grown up."
Racing over a mile, Major Occasion settled at the rear of the field after going from barrier five with only the favourite behind her.
The pair both swooped home wide on the track - McCarthy unleashing Major Occasion three-wide - but Shartin N got nod as she won in a 1:50.0 mile rate.
"It was a good run, but I was a bit disappointed. I know I shouldn't be, but you dream of trying to beat horses like that," Frisby said.
"It done good that horse, I think it done it easy, but in saying that, we took it to the wire there.
"I think she's had seven starts over there now and she's won about $60,000, so she's paid her way."
