Dynamic 3yo gelding DRUMS OF WAR recorded back-to-back wins for his terrific ownership team when claiming a Benchmark 64 event over 900m at Newcastle on Saturday
Our Newcastle based trainer JASON DEAMER polished our promising 3yo speed machine to perfection and that was matched when our 3yo was ridden perfectly to instructions by our go to hoop Ash Morgan.
He rated DRUMS OF WAR beautifully to score in Race 5, the NHP ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING - PROVINCIAL BENCHMARK 64 (900m) of $45,000 1st $21,000 + $5,625 BOBS, for Three-Years-Old and Upwards on a Good 4 he ran a time of 52.34 with a Last 600m in 33.88.
DRUMS OF WAR 3yo B Gelding by AMERICAN PHAROAH (USA) from WAR HEROINE (USA) (Lonhro)
Career Summary: 3-2:1:0. Prizemoney: $54,200
DRUMS OF WAR didn’t have this race to his liking from the moment the gates crashed back until the camera flashed. In a race that had a speed map indicating that DRUMS OF WAR should lead for fun and simply be too quick for his peers, the race never presented at any stage in that way.
As soon as the field jumped, as expected DRUMS OF WAR (56.0kgs) ($2.60 Fav) was away brilliantly, however Surreal Lily (5yo Mare - 54.0kgs) a horse that had seen a misguided betting plunge ($11 into $4.20) also flew the gates outside of us and was up challenging for the lead after the first 100m.
Ash worked DRUMS OF WAR across the face of the field to find the fence, as Surreal Lily started to come over a well, but then a third runner named Omar (8yo Geld - $5.50 – 59.0kgs) punched up between our horse and Surreal Lily, and then passing the 600m kept pushing up wanting to take the lead.
Whilst this was occurring, yet another horse named He’s Purring (5yo Geld – 54.0kgs), stalked Omar, and was sitting between Omar and DRUMS OF WAR sitting at our girth.
So much for the speed map showing no true pace, as there were now 4 horses that had been in a speed battle, not allowing DRUMS OF WAR to relax.
Ash was a wake up to what these riders were attempting to do and slipped DRUMS OF WAR a little rein as the field began to swing the home turn, allowing DRUMS OF WAR to maintain the lead from Omar as they passed the 400m marker and began their run home.
At the 350m, Omar couldn’t keep going and He’s Purring yielded whilst Surreal Lily was running on fairly down the outside.
This illogical speed tactics by the other jockeys brought their mounts undone but had also played their part in softening up DRUMS OF WAR. This allowed for the horse Kind One (3yo – 54.5kgs) who had been trailing DRUMS OF WAR with cover to have the last shot and with the pull in the weights and the economical run in transit looked as if it should power over the top of our horse.
At the 200m Ash pushed the go button and DRUMS OF WAR accelerated away from the chasers posting a length break over Kind One and it was this move here that Ash won the race.
DRUMS OF WAR was now fully spent and starting to run on fumes. Over the final 100m Ash kept kidding to DRUMS OF WAR under hands and heels, keeping his head down as DRUMS OF WAR stride was getting shorter and shorter.
Where was the post? Were the shouts as the swoopers came.
However, it was horsemanship from Ash and pure heart and determination from DRUMS OF WAR that shone through, and our horse dug deep to hold off the chasers.
In the end DRUMS OF WAR (56.0kgs) posted a win by 0.07 length (nose) over Kind One (54.5kgs) with Surreal Lily (54.0kgs) in third spot 1.14 lengths from the winner.
It was both exciting and nerve wracking for the Owners, but the win was well deserved.
DRUMS OF WAR was facing the starter for the third time. To be fair he should be undefeated, as his debut run also at Newcastle over 900m, he was in front and in control but at the 100m marker, his rider went for the persuader and dropped it and was left a sitting duck and one came off his back and nabbed him on the post.
Then he went up the line to a Maiden at Taree for a confidence builder and up to 1005m he was far to fast for his peers winning eased down by 3 lengths.
Now he has claimed a Benchmark 64 at provincial level. It’s a big ask for a young inexperienced 3yo to give weight away to his peers.
Several of these horses here had won many races, DRUMS OF WAR only had one win on the board in the country, yet he was taking on experienced winners and giving weight to them.
Runner-up One Kind had won 3 races from 9 starts, Surreal Lily was a winner, Theo Legion had won 6 races, He’s Purring was a winner of 2 races, Omar was the winner of 5 races and Elusive Babbz had win 2 races. He gave away experience, weight and race performance and was back in trip having won over 1005m the start prior. Hie effort to win this race was excellent.
DRUMS OF WAR still looks very immature compared to his peers and to have achieved what he has is a credit to his trainer JASON DEAMER who does a wonderful job with all our Dynamic Syndications horses.
DRUMS OF WAR has done his job this preparation and will head out for a short holiday to unwind from his first racing prep and enjoy the spring pastures.
CONGRATULATIONS to his Dynamic Ownership Team: Dynamic Syndications Racing, Mr A Cranes, Mr M A Pearce, Mrs A R Levi, Ms W Kang, Expecto Patronum, 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.
Hoofnote: A Special Shout Out & Congratulations to Co-Owners Tony & Louise Cranes who shared in three (3) Dynamic Winners on the day.
DRUMS OF WAR along with I AM ME in the $2m Sydney Stakes and they are also in debutant JUST IN TIME.
Onwards & Upwards!
Drums of War - Winner 14.10.23 from Dynamic Syndications on Vimeo.