On Saturday at Morphettville Dynamic 6yo mare ALPINE FLYER was back in the winner’s circle for the seventh time in her career having completed a demolition job of her peers to claim Race 6, the Peter Elberg Funerals Handicap (1550m) for our Adelaide based trainer MICHAEL HICKMOTT and apprentice pilot Rochelle Milnes.
Second-up from a spell at the 1550m trip, the win wasn’t surprising considering her excellent early preparation form, and a tremendous first-up gallop at Flemington over 1410m when she finished 1.85 lengths 3rd in a stronger Benchmark 84 grade race.
Back at home in Adelaide, up in trip, down in grade to a Benchmark 78, and the use of jockey Rochelle Milnes 2.0kg claim, to carry 56.5kgs, the race looked a wonderful opportunity to add to her already excellent career resume, and ALPINE FLYER didn’t let her Dynamic Ownership Team or punters down, having jumped away from the machines as $4.00 favourite.
Our only slight concern was the Heavy track as our mare had never seen a Heavy surface before in her previous 20 race starts but was very comfortable on Slow ground where from 13 starts her record was 6-1-2.
So, we were upbeat she would plough through the mud and that’s what she did.
A mare that likes to settle off speed and work home in her races, jumping away from barrier 6 of 11 as the gates crashed back, ALPINE FLYER was straight into the bridal and travelled strongly for the first 100m before relaxing under Rochelle Milnes, as our rider asked her to come back off the leaders to get into the one out, two back perfect trail, 4 lengths off the leaders as the race settled into its pattern.
Enjoying a lovely genuine tempo being set upfront, Rochelle wasn’t being pressured by the second half of the field who sat two lengths off our mare throughout.
The pressure started to come into the race from the 650m, and as the field began to wheel into the home straight Rochelle rolled back to the fence saving ground, tucked in behind the leading duo, and undercutting those sitting in third and fourth positions who were angling out wider on the track to begin their runs.
Once the field balanced at the 350m for the run to the camera, Rochelle had a lap full of horse underneath her and began to ease out to three-deep in the straight passing the 300m to get off the heels of a tired leader on the fence, and to give chase to Dunally who was now leading by two lengths over our mare and it had a 1.0kg pull in the weights.
As soon as ALPINE FLYER saw daylight our mare extended, and stride-by-stride reeled in the leader. Rochelle was not concerned by the margin as she just patiently rode our mare hands-and-heels all the way to the winning post.
From the 300m to the 200m ALPINE FLYER was one length away and closing.
By the 100m marker had stuck her nose in front, and then continued widening the margin all the way from there to the flash of the camera.
She posted a commanding 1.9 length win over Dunally whilst third place went to Peacemaker who only carried 51.5kgs but was 4 lengths behind ALPINE FLYER.
Leading South Australian Trainer Michael Hickmott had presented our mare looking a treat and she raced accordingly, ticking off the last question mark on her racing career which was would she handle a Heavy track? and the answer was she’s a swimmer!
A potential date with the Listed 1600m Balaklava Cup awaits our mare at her next start if she continues to please her trainer Michael Hickmott over the next couple of weeks. She raced in that event last year finishing 4th, 1.5 lengths from the winner and had zero luck in that race. She has been targeted for the race this year. Alternatively, she will be back in Saturday company in town.
Post-race Rochelle advised Michael she was "on the winner after the first furlong as the horse felt enormous under her and she was happy to roll back onto the fence turning into the straight as even if the run was a little tight, the mare was travelling so well that she knew she had the strength to push her way into the clear."
It was not much more effort than she would use in a training gallop such was the mare’s domination of her opponents.
Happy Owners in the Winner’s Circle: (left to right), Jon & Kathy Davis, Steve & Lori O’Shea,
Michael Bellifemini & Michael Hickmott (Trainer)
CONGRATULATIONS to the DYNAMIC Ownership Team that race ALPINE FLYER: Dynamic Syndications Racing, Mr M Bellifemini, J & KJ Davis Family, Ravo Racing, Triquetra Spirit, Mr R Romaldi, Mr P J Doyle, Mr D M Doyle, Mr L H Shore, Miss R Cooper, Mr J Webster, Ms T M Oxlade, B Ramsey Family
Alpine Flyer - Morphettville Winner 17.8.24 from Dynamic Syndications on Vimeo.
ALPINE FLYER - 6yo Brown Mare
by ALPINE EAGLE from PALAZZO MISS
Summary: 21-7:2:3 Prizemoney: $245,935
Trainer: Michael Hickmott (Wellington SA)
Race 6, Peter Elberg Funerals Handicap (Bm78 1550m)
1st of 11 MRPK 17Aug24 1550m Heavy8 BM78 $65,000 ($35,500) Ms Rochelle Milnes (a) 58.5kg (cd 56.5kg) Barrier 6 Rtg 79 2nd Dunalley 55.5kg, 3rd Peacemaker 51.5kg 1:38.64 (604m 38.88), 1.9L, 5th@800m, 3rd@400m, $3.40/$4/$4.20/$4
This was Dynamic Syndications 2nd WIN for the new 2024/25 Racing Season (both Metro Wins) and was our 892nd Race Win Overall at a Strike Rate of 88.7% Winners:Runners (306 / 345).
It was also our 9th Metropolitan Winner over the past 3 months (12 weeks):
15/5
|
NAVAL COMMISSION
|
Ciaron Maher
|
Kensington
|
5/6
|
NAVAL COMMISSION
|
Ciaron Maher
|
Warwick Farm
|
8/6
|
PIGGYBACK
|
Ciaron Maher
|
Randwick
|
3/7
|
BAROQUE ROAD
|
Ciaron Maher
|
Sandown
|
| 17/7 |
IT’S A KNOCKOUT
|
Ciaron Maher
|
Kensington
|
24/7
|
RED HOT LIZZIE
|
Ciaron Maher
|
Canterbury
|
27/7
|
HI DUBAI
|
Ciaron Maher
|
Randwick
|
7/8
|
AXIUS
|
Ciaron Maher
|
Canterbury
|
| 17/8 |
ALPINE FLYER
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Michael Hickmott
|
Morphettville
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Onwards and upwards - forever forwards!