Dynamic Galloper ROCKIN’ RUGA Wins GALLIPOLI CUP at Kembla

21 Apr 19

On Saturday afternoon whilst much of the focus was on Randwick’s Easter Saturday meeting, Dynamic Syndications weeks earlier had identified a terrific race for their much liked 4yo gelding ROCKIN’ RUGA (Fastnet Rock x Sevruga) to resume after a long layoff.

It proved a masterstroke when ROCKIN’ RUGA won so easily against a handy field.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained ROCKIN’ RUGA was first up from a spell.

He has always shown above average ability but has also found ways to hurt himself.

After his fourth race start at Canterbury, the horse pulled-up after the post with a fractured shoulder and was touch and go whether he would survive getting off the racetrack let alone the recuperation process.

He did that, and then resumed in a race at Rosehill in November 2018 but unfortunately badly damaged a hoof in the race and back to the paddock he went.

Great work by our Veterinarians Tim Roberts and Gary Bates and a perfect remedial / early training programme allowed Rockin’ Ruga to be given his chance to shine.

After yesterday’s race was run and won, we sit back in amazement of what this horse has gone through to be back in the winner’s circle.

On Saturday at Kembla, ROCKIN’ RUGA won Race 6 on the programme being the:

City of Wollongong RSL Sub-Branch GALLIPOLI CUP – a Benchmark 64 Handicap over 1200m.

Allotted Top-Wight of 61.5kgs, it proved another wise decision by Adam Watt at Dynamic Syndications to grab the services of quality bush apprentice Billy Owen who can still claim 3.0kgs at the provincials

The race was run and won in a blink of the eye.

Despite being the widest runner jumping from barrier 11 in a field of 11 starters, in typical Waterhouse “bone and muscle” style and a “take no prisoners” approach, Billy Owen was given a simple race plan. Go to the front and improve on your position and that’s the way the race panned-out.

After the field had travelled 100m out of the barriers, Billy had brought across Rockin’ Ruga to lead on the fence and with our horse’s size, strength, substance, and class on display, Rockin’ Ruga was in cruise control throughout to take the featured event on the programme, by a widening 3.3 lengths despite being eased down the final 50m.

ROCKIN’ RUGA ran a sizzling 1.08.93 coming home the last 600m in 33.90 secs.

To put the run into perspective the other race on the programme over the same distance and class ran 1:09.55 and a last 600m of 34.22.

Rockin’ Ruga was easily the fastest of the day, he established a Class Record and was only 0.33 seconds outside of Cradle Mountain’s Track Record of 1:08.60 set in January 2018.

A large group of Owners were on hand to welcome Rockin’ Ruga and Billy Owen back to scale.

Rockin’ Ruga has now raced 6 occasions: 2 Wins ; 0 2nds ; 0 3rds & 3 x 4ths Earnings of $56,040.

A frustrating horse for his Owners due to injury and lost racetrack time, it may be a blessing in disguise because he is now mature and has grown into a sensational looking horse and over the balance of this preparation he should be able to add better class races than this to his resume.

Being the feature race on the programme on the annual meeting to respect ANZAC DAY traditions and the service and sacrifice those brave men and women who joined to protect Australia during times of conflict – “LEST WE FORGET.”

It is always meaningful to win on these days. To win the GALLIPOLI CUP was particularly special.

A presentation was made by the Kembla Grange Committee and the Wollongong RSL Sub-Branch Committee to respect the importance of “Remembrance” which Dynamic Syndications Director of Sales and Marketing ADAM WATT received on behalf of the team that races ROCKIN’ RUGA.

Congratulations to the loyal team that races ROCKIN’ RUGA: Dynamic Syndications Racing Synd, Mr R W Te Wheoro, Mr G T Carnegie-Smith, Mr R J Gall, Mr T Krezo, Ms S Lee, Mr I J Middleton, Mr G Pierce, Mr A W Robertson, Mrs L Tranter, Mr J Yianni, Mr J Z Batori, Mr S Batori, Mr S Young, Mr R G Loveridge, Mr S J Brown, Mr C Luff, Mr S K Chipperfield and the Slippery Rock Synd.

In winning this event Rockin’ Ruga recorded our 35th Race Win for this 2018-19 Racing Season and our 577th Overall Race Victory.