Dynamic Win by FALCON ISLAND at Canterbury

15 Aug 18

At Canterbury Park on Wednesday 15-8-18, Dynamic Syndications achieved our 6th Race Win for the new 2018/19 Racing Season, which is only a fortnight old, and our 548th Overall Race Win when the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained 4yo gelding FALCON ISLAND won Race 4 the #THERACES Benchmark 74 Handicap over 1550m with Josh Parr in the saddle.

Josh was a late pick up ride as Tim Clark was originally booked but couldn't ride at the meeting due to illness.

Falcon Island winning at Canterbury 15-8-18

Starting a $3.50 favourite, FALCON ISLAND defeated Gauguin by 0.8 lengths with Tenorino another 0.5 length away in third. They ran 1:32.80 with a last 600m of 35.46 secs collecting $21,970 prizemoney.

FALCON ISLAND by HARBOUR WATCH (IRE) from STRATHSPEY has taken his overall career to:
9 starts: 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third & $79,440 winning at distances of 1550m (1) and 1600m (2)
He has started 4 times at the mile trip for 3 wins and 1 second (by a nose).

With a strong headwind blowing into their faces down the back straight, most speed maps had Falcon Island leading over Gauguin however with that runner in gate 2 and Falcon Island in gate 6 we were not going to upset the natural rhythm of our horse however Josh was asked not to bustle his way forward into that breeze. If Gauguin wanted to push up into the wind, then sit at its girth. With it going up 2.0kgs on its last start win and also having to give us 1.5kgs in weight, we believed we would be too strong.

Race tactics paid off 100% and Gauguin did push up and Josh allowed Falcon Island to roll forwards under his own steam to sit one length off the leader, stalking him all the way. Moving up to the girth of Gauguin at the point of the home turn, as the pair straightened FALCON ISLAND moved up to be eyeballing the leader.

At the 200m, FALCON ISLAND drew clear and maintained that winning break courtesy of great tactics carried out brilliantly by Josh Parr as FALCON ISLAND went to the post clear of any dangers.

It was a great result after his last start poor run over 2000m but there were genuine excuses that day when he got his tongue over the bit and chocked down causing him to run out of breath.

The race prior, he was a dominating winner by over 8 lengths at Wyong at 1600m smashing a handful of records in the process.

Dropping him back in class, back in distance and a employing a gear change when putting a tongue-tie on, matched by excellent race tactics, FALCON ISLAND bounced back into the winners circle.

That was Fun !

FALCON ISLAND was too good when the pressure was put on at the top of the straight he was too strong and did everything right today not fighting for his head against the rider and was always travelling better that the runner up Gauguin who had every chance and the third horse just whacked away and they broke well clear from the balance of the pack.

There were lots of hugs and pats on backs by a big group of owners that were present to watch their boy win and they welcomed him back to the Winner’s Circle with big shouts and cheers.

Josh Parr

Josh Parr was interviewed post race and said: “I was always going to be positive from the jump and whether I would lead or sit at the girth of the leader I was not too sure pre-race but with the head wind down the back straight I wasn’t going to go a crazy tempo just for the sake of leading. It worked out nicely as I sat outside the leader at a nice even gallop and he was too good.

“He gave me a good feel the entire race I was just summing things up there (800m) whether I was going to get the drag up of Gauguin or just stay one off and take the bad luck out of play and that was the obvious decision and it worked out really well.

“It’s a shame for Timmy (Clark) he’s missed two winners today and if there is a yardstick for a hard working jockey I think Tim’s it so it was hard work that got Tim these rides today and its due to illness he’s missed out so its cruel to him.

Happy Owners

Congratulations to a Brilliant Team of Dynamic Owners who own FALCON ISLAND:
Dynamic Syndications Racing, Mr P A Craig, Mrs A T Woollett, Presso Cohan Racing, Mrs K Tew, Mr J P Kelly, Ms C M Hicks, Mr R C Borg, Mr M R Allan, Ms J D Mc Guffie, Mr D R Zahnleiter, Mrs A Williamson, Mr R C Brown, Mr L A Lindsell, Mr J Yianni, Mr M B Seigel, Mr G J Underhill, Mr T Cottam, Stolk Racing, T P Racing

Big thanks to the team at Bradley Photographers for the great photos !