Dynamic Syndications Jason Deamer trained 3yo gelding DRUMS OF WAR (American Pharoah ex War Heroine) made it a one act affair at his second career start when leading throughout to claim the softest of wins at Taree on Sunday in Race 2, the Vilified at Stud, Maiden Plate over 1005m.
In not much more of an effort than a piece of trackwork, our young gun lived up to the hype and most importantly, the belief of owners, connections and punters alike, when he justified his $1.35 Starting Price to crush his opposition.
DRUMS OF WAR (56.5kg) ($1.35) defeated The Young Years (57kg) ($15) by 2.99 lengths and 3.28 lengths 3rd was Bob's Last One (55kg) ($7).
DRUMS OF WAR ran 0:58.30 (600m 34.78).
Ridden by leading district jockey Andrew Gibbons, from the time the gates crashed back until the camera flashed, Gibbo had an armchair ride and kept his silks clean in an effortless display.
The writing was on the wall after a slashing barrier trial win by 4.4 lengths.
He only had the one barrier trial and was due for another when a race presented for a debut run at Newcastle over 900m. Knowing we were underdone, we considered that it would be better to run there for experience on his home track and gain fitness than a 1000m trial.
DRUMS OF WAR put in a slashing display leading throughout before starting to tire late. Unfortunately, our rider lost his whip at the 100m that day and couldn’t test DRUMS OF WAR to the line. As a result, the horse who had trailed us in running was being vigorously ridden and stuck his head down as the camera flashed and nutted DRUMS OF WAR.
A great effort, knowing we had so much improvement to come in fitness and experience, yet we were able to bank the $8,000 runners-up cheque and still had the easy maiden available to us.
Since then, DRUMS OF WAR improved as expected and was able to match motors with Dynamic 4yo HARD TO SAY who Jason trains for us as well.
HARD TO SAY has won his past 3 Saturday metro races in a row, so that was a good yardstick to the ability of our maiden galloper DRUMS OF WAR.
We had several options for DRUMS OF WAR to compete in. We accepted at Hawkesbury last Thursday, as well as Taree on Sunday and Tamworth on Monday.
We were keen to race at Hawkesbury, but the assignment was more difficult and the mail out of Godolphin about their runner was huge.
As much as we believed we would be able to compete very well with that runner (eventual winner) little fish are sweet.
Also, we know that 3yo’s are at such a weight disadvantage against 4yo’s in September due to physical maturity, if you are taking on a good 4yo they have a 4 length weights advantage under Weight For Age. We didn’t want to run a lovely runner-up for two races in a row, we wanted to win for the Owners and to give DRUMS OF WAR confidence.
It was a toss of the coin then between Taree and Tamworth, where we believed he would win either race. So with Taree being closer than Tamworth and being on a Sunday where there was an opportunity for some owners to attend, that was the way we chose to head and the rest is history.
The race panned out as we anticipated on the Speed Map. Jump, lead, win. Drawing mid-field in barrier 6 of 12 from the gates, DRUMS OF WAR bounded out of the lids and landed clearly in front, and then Gibbo just allowed DRUMS OF WAR to roll across to the fence and dictate the speed.
Inexplicably, and typical of many races in the country, another rider on a longshot no hoper, extended their mount to try and take us on mid-race. That horse could only stand the pressure for 50m before it burst like a pricked balloon.
DRUMS OF WAR was simply cruising, approaching the home turn and as he swung into the home straight, Gibbo let him have a little more rein and he bounded 3 lengths clear.
The race was over, and Gibbo knew it so allowed DRUMS OF WAR to cruise to the post without extension.
DRUMS OF WAR stopped the clock in 58.30 for the 1005m event. That was just 0.24 sec outside the class record set over 1000m of 58.06. Gibbo was confident he had several lengths up his sleeve if needed.
JOB DONE! A nice day at the sport, and an easy win for our horse his owners and punters. He picked up the $13,950 first prize + the BOBS Bonus of $5,625 = $19,575.
His career record is now 2 starts: 1-1-0 and $27,575.
A $70,000 Magic Millions buy, he looks a very promising individual.
CONGRATULATIONS to our Ownership Team of DRUMS OF WAR: Dynamic Syndications Racing, Mr A Cranes, Mr M A Pearce, Mrs A R Levi, Ms W Kang, Expecto Patronum Synd, Mr R J Tredway, Mr C Pimentel, Mr R Nieuwenhoven, Mr G Downard, Dynamic No 141, Dynamic No 142, Dynamic No 143, Mr R Slattery, Ms A Whiley, Mr B Coopersmith.
Sky Channel’s commentator Gary Kliese said after the post:
“Too Quick! Miles too quick, just too slick, he’s hit the ground and run, and he’s just run them into the ground. Miles too good for them."
Fellow commentator Melinda Turner said: “No doubt about the winner DRUMS OF WAR, beautifully placed today, coming back to country grade, obviously taking good natural improvement from the first start, quick out, out in front, found the rail with the rail out, and was able to give a good kick from the top of the straight.”
Next, Gary Kliese Conducted a Post-Race interview with JASON DEAMER:
“Well done mate, and he’s got a bit of speed too Jason.”
Jason Deamer responded: “Yeah, he’s not very big, but he’s a little sports car, they don’t make Ferrari’s very big and he’s one of them, fast!”
Gary added: “Well he didn’t have his own way in front, but he kicked strong when Gibbo asked him for something at the 200m.”
Jason replied: “Yeah it was good to see. It’s always hard when you have got a front runner and you see them come up to annoy you. They are just there to be annoying, but it was very good to see him kick off that, and he was strong through the line today.”
Gary continued: “Yeah he might get 1200m?”
Jason quipped: “Yeah but the prizemoney is the same for 1000m you know?”
Gary answered: “Oh for sure, but what I am saying is he didn’t have it his own way down the back and he still kicked off that too.”
Jason added: “Yeah that was good to see that because obviously his last start over 900m, he went fast and maybe got a little bit lost and that extra 100m today, its always a query to see whether they can get it, but he got annoyed and was still strong through the line.”
Gary then said: “He’s an American Pharoah, and they do get a little bit further too, don’t they? And a nice BOBS Bonus.”
Jason replied: “Yes it’s great, and as always, its great to train another winner for Dynamic Syndications. Thank you.”
Then jockey Andrew Gibbons was interviewed by Sky Channel’s Melinda Turner:
“Well done Gibbo, you were able to find the front and he was able to give a nice kick late.”
Andrew Gibbons replied: “Yes it’s hard to take a wrap for that, it was real easy that one. Very well educated, as all Jason’s are. As I just said to him then, the key to him was, he’s not just fast, he’s in control, he doesn’t do it aggressive. And as you know he got annoyed, he still went his tempo, he didn’t over do it, and that still allows him to kick off a fast tempo.”
Melinda then asked: “Well although he ran one thousand today, because he does settle when he finds the front, do you think he can stretch out a bit further in time?”
Gibbo answered: “Yeah, I don’t think what we’ve seen today, its what we are going to get with him. He’s going to add a string to his bow and teach him to come back off them, he steps away like he’s going to be aggressive, but once he’s into his rhythm he’s pretty kind, and once he steps to 1100m – 1200m you’ll be able to take a sit on him.”
There are some lovely options coming up over the next 2-3 weeks and we will review them all before deciding his next assignment.
HOOFNOTE: We know our owners love their horses and get a real buzz from ownership. However, in all the years we have been syndicating horses to owners, I wish to draw to our followers attention the special effort made by one of the DRUMS OF WAR owners to be present at Taree.
The Expecto Patronum (Syndicate) is managed by Mr Les Kraus. This story is true commitment. Les was so keen to be at the track, that Les flew in from Israel where he lives. He then grabbed a car and drove to Taree to be trackside to see his horse win. Fantastic stuff. Les was able to meet fellow co-owner Ryan Slattery who was also trackside for the race.
Drums of War - Winner 24.9.23 from Dynamic Syndications on Vimeo.
This win by DRUMS OF WAR was Dynamic Syndications 12th Win for the new Racing Season.
It was also our 292nd Individual Winner from 332 Individual Runners (88.0%) and our 840th Race Win overall.
ONWARD and UPWARD – FOREVER FORWARD!