Dynamic SAINT OF KATOWICE Scores 5th WIN for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace

24 Nov 22

The incredible run of city success Team Dynamic and Ciaron Maher Racing have been achieving together over the past 12 months continued at Sandown on Wednesday when our Dynamic Syndications UK Import SAINT OF KATOWICE (6yo gelding Elzaam x Silesian) recorded a determined and clinical first-up victory, winning race 8 the Ladbrokes Punters Assist Benchmark 70 Handicap and picked-up $30,250 first prize.

Ridden beautifully by our ‘go to’ jet pilot John Allen, SAINT OF KATOWICE (61.5kgs) ($9.50) won by 1.75 lengths over Netanyahu (59.5kgs) ($12) with Austrata (59.0kgs) ($14) finishing 2.5 lengths away in third. On the soft 5 surface, they ran a slick 1:24.32.

SAINT OF KATOWICE took his career record to 22 Starts = 5 Wins: 7 Seconds: 3 Thirds and Prizemoney: $150,615.

SAINT OF KATOWICE arrived in Australia as a 6-start maiden so his 5 wins from 16 starts in Australia, sees him building a nice record.

His latest win was a lovely result for his ownership team. Jumping from barrier 2, the plan was to be positive in a big field that was extremely even on paper. To settle in a forward position would allow the horse to finish off well without needing to make a big run late, carrying equal top weight.

Co-Trainer David Eustace rang Adam at Dynamic Syndications as the horses were in the enclosure and said the horse was parading beautifully and looked well above his competitors, and that’s how the race panned-out, as SAINT OF KATOWICE proved he was a class above his peers.

As the gates crashed back, SAINT OF KATOWICE was away evenly with the field and after the first 50 metres, John asked our horse to keep rolling forward to hold the fence. The field ran along quickly for the first furlong as pressure from the outside was being applied as four (4) competitors were looking for the lead.

Passing the 1200m marker, the $5.50 favourite He’s The Real Deal, kept pushing forward to challenge for the front, so John took hold of SAINT OF KATOWICE, to allow the favourite He’s The Real Deal to cross to the fence in front of us. This had our horse 2 lengths off the leader in third spot on the fence, as eventual runner-up Netanyahu was a half-length in advance to our outside in second spot, as the field began to string out over a dozen lengths as the field thundered down the side of the track.

Swinging around the home turn before the balance up to the run to the line, Netanyahu moved up to eyeball the leader which allowed John to peel out off the fence to be to the outside 3 deep around the heels of the two leaders as they passed the 350m.

Then from the 350m to the 250m SAINT OF KATOWICE reeled-in the front pair and strolled on bye as they passed the 200m marker.

Nothing was coming out of the pack giving chase, and having established a lead, John asked our horse for an effort and SAINT OF KATOWICE responded to post, with a widening 1.75 length margin passing the finishing post, proving too strong for his competitors.

SAINT OF KATOWICE was resuming here after a spell. He had not raced since being unplaced in the Gooree Cup in May. However, at a trip of 1400m which he likes, and fresh is when he performs so well; it was a good win.

Co-Trainer David Eustace was trackside and the Racing.com interviewer asked: “A good return from SAINT OF KATOWICE first-up off a break, were you expecting a forward showing today?”

David Eustace replied: “Yeah, we thought he would run well, he looked fit and well in the yard, his trial was good, but crucial to him is the ground. He needs a Soft 5 or better, so it was great to get a little bit of dry weather and Johnny gave him a great ride.”

David was then asked: “What sort of preparation is he in for?”

David responded: “Well, this is sort of his grade, we were into his prep last time round when we got the keys to him.

“He appreciates the beach, and top of the ground so, credit to Dynamic, they sourced the horse in Europe and it took a little bit of time to hit his straps, so its great to get another winner for Dean and Adam, and he’s obviously going to go up a few points, but we can just keep him in and around this sort of level for Friday nights, and through summer, he might be able to pick up some Saturday races.”

"Saint of Katowice was pretty convincing in the end there.

“Yes, he was it was a great performance first-up and they did and they run pretty good time there. He was well inside the time of race 4 there so they run along, that was courtesy of He’s The Real Deal, who got to the top and was well ridden coming back in distance but just found one better on the day. He just got a beautiful trip did the winner SAINT OF KATOWICE with John Allen who was able to settle on the back of the leader, and Damien Oliver got Tarzi Calling in to a great position in the one/one but was left a little flat footed but angling off heels was SAINT OF KATOWICE, Netanyahu was good second up and there will be another race for him and Astrata was excellent and will be getting out over further, but the winner was too good.

"Let’s here from the winning jockey John Allen.”

Racing.com presenter asked: “Well John, you’ve had a good association with this horse through his career, how’s he come back this time in?”

John Allen answered: “Yeah, he’s come back in great order. We had a sweet run, but it was a pretty high-pressure race, and we rode along to a good tempo, we were travelling well and when I got off the back of the two leaders, he really let down well so, it was a good win today to kick-off his campaign.”

“He was always travelling in his comfort zone and coming around the home corner I was going well, I just needed to extricate a bit of room and luckily enough we were able to get off their backs and improve down the outside and he was going well and really good and strong through the line, so hopefully he’s in for a good prep.”

SAINT OF KATOWICE was the third winner on the day for our trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

Our horse has a good first up record, he’s now been first up on 5 occasions for 2 wins and 2 placings.

Congratulations to our Loyal Team that Own and Race SAINT OF KATOWICE: Dynamic Syndications Racing, Mrs A T Woollett, Mr P J Woollett, Mr S J Koukoulas, Mr G Tew, Mr D P Lacey, Mr J P Maxwell, Mrs J Quinlan, The Templar Syndicate, Mr C L Przibella, Mr G Downard, Almighty Racing Pty Ltd.