Everybody Loves a Grey Especially when they WIN on Debut

26 Apr 23

Everybody Loves a Grey!

Even more so when they:

(1) Win on Debut

(2) Take on and defeat Older Horses in the race

(3) Obliterate the previous Class Record time

(4) Receive interference in the run

(5) Gave the male runner-up 0.5kg in weight meaning she met him 2.5kgs worse under the Handicapper sex allowance

(6) Start at $5.0 and defeat a $2.45 Fav and a $3.10 Second Fav

(7) Wins on Debut over 1400m when bred to be at best between 1800m – 2000m.

(8) She was the ONLY DEBUTANT in the race – all others had race experience. 5 of 7 had been placed

(9) She was the only runner first-up all others had race fitness

Congratulations to our Dynamic Owners of 3yo Filly FLIC EN FLAC (3yo Frosted ex Mauritius) who scored a determined victory on debut in Race 3 at Bathurst on Tuesday 25 April, the Erin’s Quality Outdoor Power Centre Maiden Handicap over 1400m.

Our Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained filly was ridden beautifully by jet pilot Blake Spriggs, and after a genuine “knock ‘em down – drag ‘em out” war up the straight, class and ability rose against the odds to claim a determined and statistically strong victory.

To put the effort of FLIC EN FLAC into context, simply look at the clock.

FLIC EN FLAC ran a sizzling 1:21.36.

On the day, the feature Soldier’s Saddle for Class 4 horses ran 1:21.31, only 0.05 second quicker (approximately a Long Head).

Then we look at the records noting that there are approximately 7 lengths = 1 second.

The previous, Various Maiden Class Record Times:

3yo Maidens Hcp = 1:23.26 (2017) Flic En Flac ran 1.9 secs Faster = 13¼ lengths

3yo and Older Maiden Hcp = 1:24.22 (1999) Flic En Flac ran 2.86 secs Faster = 19¾ lengths

3yo Set Weights Maiden = 1:23.10 (1998) Flic En Flac ran 1.74 secs Faster = 12¼ lengths

Fillies & Mares Maiden Hcp = 1:23.17 (2017) Flic En Flac ran 1.81 Faster = 12½ lengths

Also, the time FLIC EN FLAC ran of 1:21.36 is noted as also being faster than the Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Class 5 record times.

Looking a treat in the pre-race parade, FLIC EN FLAC was kept safe in the market despite two shorter price horses that looked to have the race between them. $2.45 Favourite Twilight Rock had 3 starts for 2 placings, all this prep including a last start 3rd at Wyong, whilst $3.10 second fav Poppy’s Girl had five runs this preparation achieving 4 x 2nds and 1 x 3rd so on paper, we looked to have a challenge ahead of us whilst several other runners had competitive for as well.

As the gates crashed back, FLIC EN FLAC (barrier 3) showed good natural gate speed and was in front on landing before the favourite, Twilight Rock was marked urgent to lead from gate 4 and worked hard to get in front and then cross to the fence after the first 100m.

Next the two horses drawn inside us Missile Seeker and Our Orator riders both tried to play jockey’s and pushed up to keep FLIC EN FLAC 3 deep after the first 200m.

Blake was awake to what those riders were attempting to do, so passing the 1000m marker Blake slipped Flic En Flac a little more rein and she worked across to sit one off the rail at the tail of the leader as the field began their swing into the top turn.

600m

Running down the side of the track, positions stayed as they were. Passing the 600m post, Twilight Rock was a length clear on the rail of Flic En Flack one out in second spot. Our Orator was a further length behind in third following the leader on the fence and with Missile Seeker in our slip stream fourth one off the fence.

400m

The race was on in earnest at the 400m as the field began the swing into the home straight.

Blake asked FLIC EN FLAC to improve to give chase to the favourite who had the advantage of the lead and the fence saving vital ground around the tight Bathurst turn.

The leader wobbled 3 deep around the bend and balancing for the run home which pushed Flic En Flac 4 deep.

Then Our Orator who had saved ground tracking the leader and was eyeballing Flic En Flac, pushed out off the leaders heels underneath us.

From here for a debutant, she had done a great job to here and you would forgive her if she hit the wall.

However, nobody told Flic En Flac she couldn’t win.

200m

Our Orator's rider allowed his mount to drift out taking us wider and wider down the straight.

Unperturbed, Blake kept asking our filly for an effort and stride by stride she kept fighting.

100m

Passing the 100m Our Orator had slipped through to grab a head lead over our filly as they both caught the leader Twilight Rock.

50m

Flic En Flac with every sinew straining, got her nose in front with 50m remaining and in a ding-dong battle to the line, every stride she lengthened the margin slightly but was being taken wider on the track right up till the camera flashed and Flic En Flack had defeated Our Orator by 0.22 length with Twilight Rock 1.78 lengths third with a gap back to the rest.

Winner

A lovely way to start her racing career had been achieved and facts and figures confirm the win was very promising. Whilst you would normally not be dreaming of a huge future with a horse that wins a Bathurst Maiden, the fact is all you can do is win and then let the facts and figures take care of themselves.

Stats say she was the fastest horse to break her maiden over 1400m, so where that takes us is unknown but the way she did it with the highlighted facts against her and knowing she will be better with fitness, experience, and distance then, our Owners can dream about some more photos for the wall.

Well Done to the Dynamic FLIC EN FLAC Ownership Team: Mr S P Loane, Mrs C Ciappara, Mr K Draper, Ms J A Murphy, Mr I R Corwell, Mr G Tew, Mrs K Tew, Mr R J Burdon, Kiwi Hunter No. 2, Mr P Bray, Mr D Goodwin, Mrs R A McDonald, Mr R P Turner, Ms P Speight, From The Hip Racing, Mrs A Taylor, Mr G J Cooper, Stolk Racing, Mr J E Maxwell.

The unusually named FLIC EN FLAC is so named after the main long white sandy beach in Mauritius.

FLIC EN FLAC was a $30,000 Yearling purchase from the Magic Millions 2021 National Sale.

FLIC EN FLAC recorded Dynamic Syndications 816th Overall Race Win and our 46th Race Win for this current season.

She also became Dynamic Syndications 285th individual winner from 329 individual runners = 86.7%

Onwards and Upwards!