MAJESTIC BOOM VINDICATES MAYFIELD-SMITH'S BELIEF IN THE HORSE. REMAINS UNBEATEN AFTER FOUR STARTS

By Graham Potter | Thursday, May 23, 2024

Four wins in a row ... unbeaten ... over $100 000 banked in prize-money already ... that’s the way to kick off a racing career and trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith is rightfully pleased with the exploits of the lightly raced four-year-old gelding Majestic Boom who added that fourth win to his record at Ipswich on Wednesday.

Mayfield-Smith has every right to be pleased, not only because of the run of results, but because Majestic Boom’s form has vindicated the trainer’s belief in the ability of the son of Spirit Of Boom, a belief that was tested on occasions even before the horse was thrust into race action.

“I’ve always had an opinion of him ... but... when the jockeys rode him in work, they’d always say to me he goes like he’s got a wheel missing,” said Mayfield-Smith.

“I liked the horse, but when I’m being told that by so many I was starting to doubt myself and my judgement. I asked them do you think he can win a race, and they said, ah maybe he can get away with one or two at Kilcoy or Gatton ... and I thought, geez.

“I was trying to find some hope in my mind ... but then I thought I can’t be wrong with this horse. I know him well.

“Then he trialled quite well ... I was happy with his trail, so I had him race at Doomben.

“When I went through the betting ring after saddled him, he was $31. I thought he would firm in to about $12 ... really, I thought his true price should have been about 8’s ... but he just drifted and drifted and drifted and eventually jumped at a starting price of $101 ... and won!

“Then the next start I thought he had improved but he still started at $18 ... and he’s gone on again from there.

“I think he is a lovely horse. He does everything right in a race ... and he’s got a bit of ticker as well as ability. He doesn’t lack ticker that’s for sure ... as he showed at Ipswich. When he straightened up, in my heart, I thought, he is going to run them down.

“It was a great ride as well by Adin (Thompson).”
“And no, Adin was not one of those jockeys telling me that Majestic Boom went like he had a wheel missing. He never did that.

“He knew how I felt about the horse, so he probably thought let them bag the horse and I’ll get on him ... and that strategy’ worked out well for him.”

Adin Thompson has been aboard Majestic Boom in all fours starts, and the young rider received a glowing endorsement from Mayfield-Smith.

‘How Adin doesn’t get more rides is beyond me,” said Mayfield-Smith. ‘He really deserved more recognition of his ability ... and it just disappoints me that he is just not being able to be the jockey that he should be because of lack of opportunity.

“On a personal level, I have to say that Adin is one of the nice guys of racing. If anyone needs help, he is the first to offer it. He really deserves more.

‘I just want him to succeed.”

And a last word on Majestic Boom moving forward?

“I just take things as they come,” answered Mayfield Smith.

“I always say ... you see a lot of people set a horse specifically for this or that race, and that generally leads to two things if you miss the target ... disappointment and you have possibly stuffed the horse up ... or at least given it a setback ... if you have run it out of its real class.

“I said, I just take things as they come. No pressure.

"If something pops up and we are ready, we will be there. If he is not ready, we won’t go there ... and he might go the paddock instead. I will take whatever option is the best option for the horse.

“As you can see, he is not over-raced horse. I have always looked after him, and that’s what I will continue to do.”

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