2200m GEELONG CLASSIC "WON IT" as Dynamic SAINT EMILION on VRC DERBY Quest

24 Oct 24

"WON IT" Our "SAINT" Spurs VRC Derby "Dreams" after Dynamic 2200m Geelong Classic Success!

" TALK DERBY TO ME ! "

The inform Ciaron Maher stable has unearthed another potential Dynamic Syndications Group 1 Winner with the victory of SAINT EMILION at Geelong.

SAINT EMILION winning the Listed Geelong Classic 2200m

The Dynamic / Ciaron Maher Juggernaut were back in the winner’s circle again, at Geelong on Wednesday afternoon, as our promising 3yo colt SAINT EMILION (Snitzel x Kylikwong) demolished his opposition to claim the $200,000 Roderick Insurance Brokers 3YO Geelong Classic, a Listed Race over 2200m, one of the main lead-up races to the Gr1 VRC Derby over 2500m at Flemington in 10 days’ time.

Maher collected the Group 1 double of The Everest and Caulfield Cup last weekend and after the success of SAINT EMILION in the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) on Wednesday, the Group 1 Penfolds Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 2 is now in his sight.

A well-executed plan hatched between Dynamic Syndications and the stable came to fruition and we have a wonderful team of Owners now living the dream of competing in the VRC Derby where SAINT EMILION has seen his odds slashed from $51 pre-race into $8 equal second favourite behind the favourite Broadsiding ($4.50) (Doubtful) for the time honoured, blue-riband classic.

SAINT EMILION was bred by Gerry Harvey and Sold by “Uncle Gerry” to Dynamic Syndications / Dean Watt Bloodstock for $200,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions.

The first to buy a share in the colt was Gerry based upon how much he liked the colt he had bred.

Another milestone worthy of note, SAINT EMILION became the sensational sire SNITZEL’s 150th Stakes Winner.

SNITZEL - Sire of 150 SW

Interestingly, he is only the third Stakes Winner beyond 2000m by Snitzel and he did it at just his 4th Race Start. The other two were Taikomochi at his 22nd start and Shamus Award at his 10th start.

Whilst only three other stakes winners have won a stakes race at 2000m being ARBEITSAM (raced by Dynamic Syndications) Dark Eyes and Zenzella.

ARBEITSAM

SAINT EMILION is bred on the same cross as Arbeitsam (Snitzel / Red Ransom) and is aiming to be Snitzel’s first Derby Winner.

Purchased by Dynamic Syndications/Dean Watt Bloodstock with the “dream” that he may develop into a classic’s contender as a 3yo, SAINT EMILION was syndicated to a truly tremendous team of owners.

SAINT EMILION as a yearling

Their loyalty to Dynamic Syndications has been repaid with SAINT EMILION winning this Stakes Race at his fourth race start.

SAINT EMILION was unlucky on debut over 1350m at Newcastle when a close 0.36 length third to Interjection and Firm Agreement and the form from that race has been terrific with both those horses winning at there next start, and then both going into stakes races at their following starts.

At his second start SAINT EMILION went to Kembla and the team were very upbeat of his chances over 1600m but a Heavy 8 and second-up syndrome combined, and he put in a flat performance finishing 7th, 6.7 lengths from the winner. We left the sport scratching our heads trying to understand what had transpired but there was nothing to pinpoint, and we just put a line through that race.

For his third start, we had him in at three venues and elected to head down the line to Goulburn and stay at a mile knowing he was looking for further. The roomy track at Goulburn we felt would give him his chance for a foundation run and to get home. He was super in that event and won as we had anticipated he should.

SAINT EMILION breaking his maiden at Goulburn

This second run at 1600m for the 3yo gave him the right foundation to step up in distance.

VRC Derby candidates often follow obscure pathways in the spring because trainers and connections look for steppingstones to lay the foundation for 2500m.

We had nominated SAINT EMILION for the Geelong Classic 2200m and the Vase over 2040m on Cox Plate Day. We chose the Geelong Classic believing this would give us the right answers whether he could stay or not. You can think they will, but until you place them under those conditions, we truly do not know.

So, for a NSW trained horse going the other way for the first time, we elected to race at Geelong with its long run home rather than the shorter constant turning course of Moonee Valley.

The rest is now history. He is a stakes winner. He won eased down by a widening 1.75 lengths. He has pulled up a treat with tremendous recovery rate and will head towards the Derby next Saturday.

Here at Geelong, SAINT EMILION was obviously feeling terrific as he was full of energy in the saddling enclosure. As soon as Mark Zahra jumped on board, SAINT EMILION reacted like a professional and paraded well. Our team were very bullish he would see out the trip and was inexplicably being quoted at luxury of odds of $16 into $13 in the last few minutes of betting.

We had two plans. Our speed map had us sitting outside the leader from the awkward outside draw at Geelong, however if that wasn’t going to happen, plan B was leave it to Mark.

As the gates crashed back, SAINT EMILION was a little slow into stride, so Mark grabbed hold and went back to last on the fence, as there was a charge upfront as runners wanted to be on speed and wanted forward positions.

Mark Zahra let the field sort itself out as he patiently rode the first 1200m of the event back at the tail of the field a dozen lengths off the leader and eventual runner-up HOT TO GO ($4.40) who was being tagged by the race favourite OXFORD BLUE ($2.15).

Passing the 1000m point Mark allowed SAINT EMILION to roll up and join the back of the pack.

No change in the order and passing the 800m Mark allows SAINT EMILION to stroll up and pass one horse who was on the fence. From the 700m to the 600m, the field started to pack up you could see Mark and SAINT EMILION were jogging in behind and when an opening presented on the point of the turn, Mark drove up into it, pushing the Godolphin horse Lavalier into a pocket as the field swung into the home straight.

At the 300m Mark angled out off the heels of the three horses across the track in front of our horse and got out to the centre of the track. Then Mark hit the go-button and SAINT EMILION found another gear. Such was the dominance from the 300m to the 200m he had reeled in the front runners and put his head in front.

The exciting aspect over the final 200m was that Mark was able to give SAINT EMILION a hands and heels ride to the 50m then had the luxury of sitting-up and posing for the camera over the final 30m of the race.

Every horse had its chance and SAINT EMILION came out on top as the superior stayer in this event.

JOB DONE!

Congratulations to a wonderful team of loyal Dynamic Syndications owners on the success of their 3YO Colt SAINT EMILION: Dynamic Syndications Racing, Mr G Harvey, Horsepower Racing (Mgr Phil Zappara), Ms S T Hancock, Mr I T Gitsham, Mr M J Bulley, Mrs K Tew, Mr G J Cooper, Mr M A Wolens, Mr S P Loane, Mr L Seminara, Mr M P Carroll, Mr A Cranes, Mrs P Smith, Ellendee (Manager: Libby Douglas), Three Cruisers (Manager: David Bannigan), Dynamic No 147 (Members:Tracy McManus & Laughing All The Way Syndicate), Dynamic No 148 (Members: Travis & Lisa Butler & John Cordoma), Dynamic No 149 (Members: Peter & Michael Falvey & David Lyons), Dynamic No 150 (Members: Stephen Niven & Wonder What They’re Doing Racing).

DETAILS SUMMARY:
Track:   Geelong
Race:   $200,000 Geelong Classic (Listed Race) (2200m)
Winner:   3YO colt Saint Emilion (Snitzel-Kylikwong, by Red Ransom)
Race record:   2 wins and a placing from 4 starts & $145,100 Ernings
Trainer:   Ciaron Maher
Jockey:   Mark Zahra
Placings:   3YO colt Hot Too Go & 3YO gelding Oxford Blue
Sales Info:   $200,000 yearling at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast
Buyer:   Dynamic Syndications / Dean Watt Bloodstock
Vendor:   Westbury Stud (As Agent) for Gerry Harvey
Breeder:   Gerry Harvey
Winning Sire:   Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice-Snippets’ Lass, by Snippets)

Transcript Racing.com Racecaller last 400m:

“Further back is Lavalier still four off the front and SAINT EMILION starting to slice through them.

“Hot Too Go is the leader; 400 metres to go, around the turn from Oxford Blue whose just about full bore, behind those El Paso who's hanging tough, SAINT EMILION brought towards the centre of the track and then came Lavalier who is looking to stay on.

“Hot Too Go just over 200 to go, Oxford Blue is lifting the middle, El Paso and SAINT EMILION the outside. They are four across the track, SAINT EMILION goes up - takes the lead, draws on, three-quarters of a length.

“SAINT EMILION goes on, SAINT EMILION too good. Second a head bobber Oxford Blue or Hot Too Go in a photo. El Paso for fourth, then Lavalier, along gap the others in the Geelong Classic."

Racing.com Commentators: “That Dam side pedigree; and the Maher Magic sprinkled all over SAINT EMILION who comes out of victory last start at Goulburn over 1600 metres to take care of the maiden, but the signs were there that this step to 2200m, and just quite simply the placement by the stable, was going to perhaps reap something over 2200 metres this afternoon. And what it's reaped is perhaps a key chance for Ciaron Maher and his squad heading towards the Penfolds Victoria Derby.

“Mark Zahra gets done for the Team from Dynamics Syndications.

“Mentioned pre-race Kylikwong, she was quite the staying filly, placing in a VRC Oaks and then backing up to run admirably through the autumn as a three-year-old as well.

“So, numbers confirmed across the line. 5-4-3-8-1-2 are your top six. They've just run a shade under 2:17.00 in 2:16.94. One and three-quarters by a short half-head the margins. Ciaron Maher the fun continues for them. An Everest, a Caulfield Cup, and now a Geelong Classic with SAINT EMILION.

“It's just so good. Ciaron Maher and he's done it again. A dominant win in the end here from SAINT EMILION, rising in trip Mark Zahra handled him beautifully and gets the result.

“That was a heads up, heads down finish for second and Hot Too Go will just narrowly get that photo ahead of Oxford Blue who was heavily supported but under pressure a long way from home and from where he was on the turn, he's probably done an okay job to run third, but that's not what the market was expecting. And they have run a tick inside of 2:17.00. So, they are insider Standard Time, it's not like they've absolutely walked there, or if they have walked, they've come home really quickly.

“But SAINT EMILION has appreciated the rise in trip better than most.

“The connections of the winner I imagine are Derby dreaming!

“Well let’s find out. Ciaron Maher joins us after SAINT EMILION takes out the Geelong Classic.

“Ciaron, this horse has been based obviously out of your squads in NSW, was this a sort of timed graduate sort of progression, to just have him ticking over in provincial NSW before thinking about something here?”

Ciaron Maher answered: “Yeah, that's right. You know these races. You know you can step up fairly quickly as this horse has. (My) Team did a great job with him up there; he looks phenomenal. “Brendan McCarthy our chiropractor, he actually looked at him when he first come down and he was sort of out in his back and was feeling hammy (hamstring) and he’s done a fair bit of work with him, and I think that's sort of the key. You can see how well he looks.

“So, rapt for Adam Watt and the Dynamic Team. They’ve got a lot of horses with us and some of SAINT EMILION owners are here today. So, they’ll have a good day, and we might even go on to the Derby.”

Racing.com commentator: “Pedigree has been quite clear, at least on the Dam side; that that's what he could be at 3 Ciaron, but there's been some immaturity to iron out alongside the physical things. What’s the team done to try and bring that to the surface?”

Ciaron responded: “Well, I think just a bit of racing, and I was just saying to the lads, Explosive Jack, he actually got beat at Goulburn before he won a couple of Derbies. This one won, so hopefully he can perform; can repeat that.

“But you can say still furnishing and just a beautiful ride by Mark. Just let the speed go, you could see him (SAINT EMILION) building in confidence throughout the run. It was a beautiful ride for a young horse that's needed that sort of confidence to build throughout. He (Mark) is certainly riding very well.

Racing.com commentator: “Still a little bit to unfold with the Vase and the Spring Champion and other races, but how many would you potentially have heading towards the feature Saturday week?”

Ciaron said: “Not too many I don’t think, so this one will be firmly in there anyway.”

Racing.com commentator: “Mark Zahra comes back to join us after SAINT EMILION takes out the Geelong Classic with a giggle. For a horse at his fourth start and going left-handed the first time, he looked to really relish that sort of diagonal cut through on the corner, did that surprise you?

Mark answered: “Yeah. I was just saying to Reece and Lee, the staff had me outside the leader (speed map) and me and Ciaron said ‘leave it to us’ we will just go quiet. Ha, straight out the back, relax, relax and horses this time round first way, if you can come up underneath them it's always better because they get around the turns a lot better. And it just, you know, I had a chance when a few sort of moved into it that I was able to come up underneath; get on the back of horses in before I was last to sort of peeling out at the right spot. He did a good job though because he travelled through but picked up. He wanted to lay in a bit. I gave him a hit with the left and he picked up and was good to the line.”

Racing.com commentator: “What's the aerobic base like?”

Mark responded: “He’s good. I suppose from here everyone goes to the Derby. It’s a dream isn't? So, the thing about it, he's relaxed, relaxes well, which I think is the main thing for the Derby. Relax well, and have a turn at the finish, I hope.”

Racing.com commentator: “Mark Zahra, Ciaron Maher, Dynamic Syndications combine with SAINT EMILION who takes out the Geelong Classic and can perhaps, consider a Penfolds Victoria Derby on Saturday week.”

This was Dynamic Syndications 17th Race Win for the new season and our 907th Race win overall.

Also, it was our third stakes win for this racing season after our Ciaron Maher trained mare I AM ME won the Concorde Gr3 and The Shorts Gr2.

We look forward to the 2500m test of the Penfolds Gr1 Victoria Derby 2nd November.