Dynamic Syndications 4yo mare COURU (All Too Hard x Pas De Deux) put in a gutsy effort to claim victory against the odds on a rock hard / bone dry / drought ravaged Armidale racetrack on Saturday 14 September.
This was a victory for class and courage as COURU had to dig deep to stave off her peers in a close but courageous win claiming the Oak Tree Retirement Village - ST ALBERTS COLLEGE CUP – a Benchmark 58 event over 1300m in a time of 1:17.56 coming home their last 600m in 36.26.
COURU 59.5kgs defeated SIR AUSSIE 54.0kgs (a 7yo gelding - winner of 4 races) by 0.34 length with ONYA ROSIE 54.0kgs (a 6yo mare winner of 4 races) a further 0.1 length away in third spot.
COURU now has a Race Record of: 5 Starts: 2 Wins
COURU who had only raced previously on 4 occasions for a maiden win on debut over 1300m at Goulburn had to give a massive 5.5kgs away in weight and race wins and experience to both the placegetters.
Further, COURU was first up for her new trainer Brett Cavanough at Scone having not raced or trialled since her first up run from a spell at Wyong on 23 July - 53 days earlier, where she was hard in the market but weakened to be defeated 10.96 lengths.
COURU has always shown ability but has been a mare “with attitude” and she is a mare that handlers and trainers always need to keep an eye-on when working in close proximity. She is a mare that has caught 3 stable hands unawares and injured them with kicks or bites including one strapper having a forced stint in hospital.
So after her Wyong run where she had the run of the race but dug her toes in and refused to stretch out in the home straight, it was agreed that the mare may need a relaxed rural atmosphere rather than the hustle and bustle of a city environment.
A transfer to Scone appears to have worked wonders.
COURU has put on so much weight that she looked more like a show horse than a racehorse and we were concerned that she may have been a bit “new” relating to fitness for the assignment. Then with the lack of experience and the massive disadvantage of racetrack success to her peers and being asked to lump 5.5kgs more than her place getting peers was a massive concern.
Next add in the fact that she drew the outside barrier added to our conundrum but not as nearly as much as the rock hard surface.
COURU had shown in trackwork that the hard drought plagued surfaces were causing her discomfort in her front feet as the concussion effect of being a big and heavy mare whacking the hard ground was creating bruising. However all bush trained horses are exposed this this dilemma at present.
Having weighed up these options of track condition, barrier draw, inexperience, and most importantly the extra 5.5kgs handicap weight and having listened to the thoughts of trainer Brett Cavanough, who believed that despite her attitude still being suspect, COURU was a happier and more content mare as displayed by her extra condition she had put on.
Her work had improved and she was ready to head to the races if it was the right race.
We had her accepted for two races – the first at Tuncurry of the Friday and the second was Armidale on the Saturday.
When we did the form and speed maps for both events, we felt that despite the obvious disadvantages at Armidale, this was still a preferred option than the event at Tuncurry so we scratched from that event to take our place at Armidale.
We pulled the right rein with this decision and got the win.
Jumping away quickly from barrier 6, rider Billy Cray allowed COURU to roll forward and sit at the girth of the leader Miss Makepeace who was setting a quick tempo upfront.
The field broke up into three pairs at this point with both the placegetters settling at the rear.
At the 600m the first of the moves came when runner-up Sir Aussie strolled up to put us under pressure 3 deep where the pressure was applied from the 500m. Rounding the home turn the leader dropped out and it became a two horse war between COURU and SIR AUSSIE with ONY ROSIE running on strongly from back in the field.
COURU was headed by SIR AUSSIE at the 150m however she fought back with determined fashion to forge back to the front and scored by a widening 0.34 length.
It was a terrific win for her loyal owners and a top job by Brett Cavanough and rider Billy Cray.
Whilst we all accept it was a Sky 2 TAB Meeting at Armidale and not Royal Randwick, it was a win for loyalty of owners as much as horsemanship and courage.
Couru from Dynamic Syndications on Vimeo.
Congratulations to our Dynamic COURU Ownership Team: Dynamic Syndications Racing, Mr R W Rose, Mr S P Loane, Dr M G Purcell, Mr D Goodsell, Mr D G Wood, Mrs V K Fleming, Mr J P Kelly, Mr G Schulz, Mr N B Patterson, Mr R J Gall, Mr M A Cowley, Mr G R Hibberd, Miss S T Wilkinson, Dynamic No 57, Dynamic No 58, Dynamic No 59, Mr D Campbell, Dynamic No 60
The win by COURU became Dynamic Syndications 604th Race Win and our 7th win for the new 2019-20 Racing Season.
What’s in a Name? COURU is a ballet term describing a dance between partners whilst COURU is a ballet step which means “run”
We trust that COURU will continue to "run along" and lead her rivals in a "merry dance" to the finish !
Onwards and Upwards !