Just 24 hours after Gai Waterhouse had turned the Golden Slipper market upside down with her special Colt
KISS AND MAKE UP, the pendulum has swung again, this time to the dominating
DEFCON who smashed his rivals in a sweeping last to first - eased down win in the
1200m Black Opal Stakes Gr3 at Canberra.
Blake Shinn was confident his trip to Canberra on Sunday morning would surely see him finish in the "black" aboard the early market,
odds-on favourite DEFCON who was saved from Saturday's Gr2 Todman Slipper at Randwick, for the 2016 edition of the famous Canberra
Black Opal Stakes.
However by his own admission, Blake
"had his heart in his mouth" when the stunning Colt left the barriers 2 lengths behind the field after the jump.
DEFCON winning the Gr3 BLACK OPAL Stakes 1200m
Blake said he
"allowed DEFCON to balance and get into stride before starting his move at the 250m where he angled out to the centre of the track and picked up his opponents quickly, to go on and win eased down by one length.
The day before, the Todman was sensationally won by the Gai Waterhouse trained KISS AND MAKE UP, who broke the heart of CAPITALIST, the Magic Millions Winner and the stablemate to DEFCON.
However in hindsight, it would have been a fascinating contest had the Snowden trained
DEFCON taken his rightful place in the Gr2 Todman.
DEFCON on our ratings figures had a superior opportunity than the heavily media spruiked Capitalist and
DEFCON is the fresh Colt on the Golden Slipper scene.
24 hours prior to the Black Opal, Blake Shinn said in the press,
"the drop in class (Gr2 to Gr3) will offset the awkward wide barrier draw for DEFCON"
Blake Shinn, was to ride the colt in a bid to force his way into the $3.5 million Golden Slipper. The desired result has now been achieved - albeit the hard way.
“It’s rarely an advantage being drawn wide on two-year-olds but you never know how the race will unfold,” Shinn said.
However missing the kick by 2 lengths was never part of the connections plans.
Shinn said
“DEFCON has good form around Astern, who looks a great Slipper chance" that was before an elevated white cell count caused Astern to be scratched from the Todman.
Of the Black Opal, Shinn said
“This is a good field but I doubt any of these could match it with him".
DEFCON on his way to the barriers before the Gr2 ATC Silver Slipper
Leading into this event with
2 starts for 2 seconds - one in the
Gr2 ATC Silver Slipper and the other in the
Gr3 ATC Canonbury Stakes, DEFCON (by Choisir x Nuclear Force) certainly had the rating figures to have upstaged his stable mate CAPITALIST and connections held genuine fears that Capitalist could be knocked off the favouritism totem pole by the stablemate. However they seriously underestimated the opposition because any horse trained by GAI is always a threat.
Owned in the same ownership group as Capitalist,
the common sense decision was made to sidestep their horses and send DEFCON to Canberra to ensure he won, picking up the first place prize and be assured a start in the Golden Slipper.
The Colt had $80,000 in earnings before the Black Opal so was in 19th position in gaining a race start.
That meant he needed another sizeable prize cheque to be assured.
Picking up the first prize of $168,500 sees the glamour Colt now sitting on $251,500 and safely in the Golden Slipper field.
Trainer Peter Snowden said of DEFCON's win:
"we spoke four times (to Blake) about how to ride him but coming out last never entered the conversation."
"He had a bit on them. The thing about being last is that, so long as you don't over-race, and he didn't, he relaxed well and produced a sterling turn of foot.
"He's always had that great acceleration and it’s just a matter of timing it right, and the horse was hampered at the start today, but it's a great result.
"Absolutely this horse has a great turn of foot, and a turn of foot will take them a long way and it will win them races.
"It's just a matter of riding them to their strengths and the race panning out alright for them and it did that today.
"Blake's on fire and I was working up what to say to him after missing the start but it's all going to be slaps on the back now.
"We'll let the dust settle and enjoy the moment and see what happens".
Jockey Blake Shinn said
"when the barriers opened my heart sunk.
"Before the race I thought I was on the good thing in the race and when the gates opened, I thought we had no chance but I just had to have faith in the horse and be very patient. They went along in front and I know he's got a devastating turn of foot. So I just had to trust the horse’s ability.
"I got a good enough drag into the race from Tye Angland (Flash Fabian) and produced DEFCON at the 250m and he was explosive."
"He's a very smart 2yo and has the form lines around Astern so it's great."
"I knew I was on the best hose, I trusted him and thankfully it all worked out."
At the Inglis Premier Sale last Monday, Dynamic Syndications purchased a fabulous looking filly, Lot 238 from Eliza Park Stud (as agent).
Lot 238 EXCELEBRATION x NUCLEAR FORCE - A half-sister to DEFCON
Our Filly
By EXCEED AND EXCEL's three time Gr1 winning Champion son EXCELEBRATION - a first crop sire, the filly was the second foal of the six time winning mare NUCLEAR FORCE.
Her first foal is DEFCON.
Our filly is therefore the 1/2 sister to DEFCON and both our filly and DEFCON are by Danehill line sires.
Having been purchased by Dynamic Syndications, our new filly is heading into the stables of Champion Trainer GAI WATERHOUSE and like her half-brother, she is a magnificent type and will be targeted at the major 2yo races next season.
When the catalogue page was printed,
DEFCON hadn't been to the races, so didn't appear on the pedigree page. This meant many buyers, unless they studied the pedigrees of all lots catalogued, were unaware that
the filly was DEFCON's half-sister.
That was an advantage to Team Dynamic. We were aware the filly was the half-sister to then, a twice Group Placed Colt that has enormous upside potential, thus increasing her commercial value every race he contests.
Now DEFCON is a Group 3 winner, this has ensured our filly has jumped significantly in value.
Our ratings on what
DEFCON has achieved in his 3 starts to date, suggest there are a lot more high quality wins in store for this Colt and importantly, our filly will always be his half-sister.
Dynamic Owners and Clients are invited to purchase a 5% share in our wonderful filly and what an incredible opportunity she represents, especially if the half-brother performs well in the Slipper - what would she be worth?
She will always be DEFCON's half sister and her commercial / residual value after racing is assured. She is a true gilt-edged equine investment.
5% shares are just $9,350 inc GST and ALL COSTS out to 1st September 2016.
Don't delay contacting Adam Watt on (02) 9587 1511 or his mobile 0409 464 378.