To say it has been a tough week is an understatement for Dynamic Syndications and our various Teams of owners. The old saying is “things happen in three’s” yet where up to four blows in 6 days whilst it has been 5 blows within the past eleven !
It’s been an Express Elevator from Penthouse to Basement. To say this industry can be character building is an understatement. That’s why we enjoy our victories so much with our clients because there are always issues along the way that make you appreciate what you have actually accomplished when you win, whether that win be a bush maiden or a Randwick Group 1.
1) Fingers crossed we have hit the bottom of this cycle this morning, with the news that our glamour sprinter ATOMIC FORCE had gone amiss and will head to the paddock. It was the recurrence of an old injury to his off fore suspensory which he first suffered in August 2008 and then flared again in January 2010 and then reoccurred as a result of an injury sustained in the Gr1 Trentham NZ in January this year.
The good news was that astute horse husbandry skills by Mick Price and his team prevented serious injury and set backs. However as a precaution, we have abandoned the Spring in anticipation he will be back for the Autumn.
2) Yesterday promising Darren Smith trained stayer SAVAGE BLAZE had given our connections every indication he was primed and capable and very much a winning hope at Canterbury in the 2800m event, only to find on Tuesday morning he was off his feed and suffering a high temperature and would need to be scratched from this extremely winnable race. Oh well, we accept that’s racing ! He should be back to the races in a couple of months.
Savage Blaze had some bad news yesterday but will be back again soon
3) On Saturday our other high quality sprinter MIDNIGHT AT ASCOT ran poorly in Melbourne and an immediate veterinary inspection revealed the gelding had developed an Entrapped Epiglottis and needed urgent surgery. This was successfully completed on Tuesday. However that rules out his Spring carnival.
4) Also last Saturday, our very promising Mick Price trained 3yo HIRAD ran third but it was a top effort since, as soon as they jumped and went two strides, the saddle slipped so far backwards it was over HIRAD’S hips giving his rider Dale Smith a torrid time just to stay in the saddle. Then when in the straight, he still looked a winning hope despite this difficulty before a wayward Chad Schofield on the leader caused him bad interference and chopped off his running. Chad got a reprimand whilst our owners settled for only the third prizemoney cheque.
5) This was on top of terrible news 11 days earlier that we had tragically lost one of our fully syndicated young horses in a training mishap. However that blow was lessened by the professionalism of Richard Logan of leading insurer Logan Livestock whom had the matter paid out and settled within 5 working days.
It just amplifies the emotional rollercoaster that owners of racehorses go through with ownership. Whilst it can be both disappointing at times and exhilarating at others, it’s never dull or boring. It’s an elusive dream that drives all of us forward. It’s a fraternity, a brotherhood of kindred souls sharing the dream of success.