FIRST FOOTMAN (GER) a
Dynamic Syndications purchase from the Tattersalls Horses-In-Training Sale in England, became
another Winner for our
Team of Terrific Owners when he broke through for a
well-deserved victory over 1600m in Race 3, the Kentan Machinery Maiden Plate at Gosford on Thursday 11 June.
FIRST FOOTMAN winning at Gosford 11 June 2020
FIRST FOOTMAN is trained at Rosehill for his Dynamic owners by the Freedman Brothers under the watchful eye of Richard Freedman and the enthusiasm of Richard’s son and Foreman - Will Freedman.
FIRST FOOTMAN ($2.20 fav) was ridden to victory by
jet pilot Tommy Berry who rated our gelding beautifully in the lead from barriers to the post to record a 1.14 length win over HIGHBURY ($3.30) with a further significant 4.42 lengths back to TODWICK ($4.60) in third spot. On a Heavy 8 surface they ran 1:40.68 but came home in a quick last 600m for a heavy surface of 35.70 secs.
Despite being short of his preferred trip of 2000m,
FIRST FOOTMAN was wearing blinkers for the first time since arriving in Australia and gave nothing else a hope in the race. From the moment the gates crashed back, Tommy Berry took
FIRST FOOTMAN to the lead on settling with the eventual runner-up HIGHBURY (Nash Rawiller) sitting at our girth.
Tommy then dictated the pace from in front, getting away with some soft sectionals down the back straight.
FIRST FOOTMAN was asked to up the ante as they thundered past the 600m and HIGHBURY responded to our challenged as well as it could, under vigorous riding by Nash.
However, Tommy was full of confidence and asked our horse for an effort to which
FIRST FOOTMAN dug deep.
FIRST FOOTMAN in full Flight
At the 100m mark Tommy swapped the whip from his left to his right hand and
FIRST FOOTMAN got a shock and responded but in the process ducked-out forcing Tommy to stop riding and straighten
FIRST FOOTMAN again however he still put a length and a half on his rival before being allowed to ease down the final 30 metres to record a comfortable win.
A comfortable victory
Tommy reported back to Will Freedman that he
“believed the win was impressive and now he has broken through he is capable of putting a few together if placed to advantage and a mid-week win wasn’t that far away.”
Tommy reported that
FIRST FOOTMAN didn’t concentrate when he turned for home because with the blinkers on, he couldn’t see his peers, so was stargazing a little.
However, Tommy reported when he
“changed whip hands the horse found another gear which was impressive.”
FIRST FOOTMAN is the best example of patience any ownership team can have.
FIRST FOOTMAN in England before Dynamic Syndications purchased him
Not long after arriving in Australia, when just in training he
(A) chipped a knee and needed surgery and recuperation in the paddock. Then he was back in work and ready to race and
(B) he developed a stress fracture in a shoulder. Again, patience and at his third preparation he got to the races running a terrific 2 lengths fourth for his Australian debut and big things were being considered but he
(C) pulled up after that run with another stress fracture, this time to his opposite shoulder.
With patience and terrific horse husbandry and care, the Freedman boys have nursed him back to racetrack success.
His form this preparation has been outstanding.
First up when still big in condition he ran a super race over an unsuitable 1400m at Kembla Grange when giving the talented Devine Eleven a 3.0kg pull in the weights to run second by 1 length. Devine Eleven has franked that form with a second at Newcastle then a good fourth at Randwick last Saturday.
Then at his second start,
FIRST FOOTMAN looked to have the race won at Newcastle over 1500m before the promising filly ZING came from the clouds down the outside to win. She franked that form by winning on Monday at Warwick Farm.
FIRST FOOTMAN we had originally planned to take to Muswellbrook for a Class 1 and Maiden Plate over 1750m this coming Sunday, where we thought the distance would suit. However, as a back-up plan, we nominated for this 1600m at Gosford. When acceptances came out, we were very confident that despite the trip being a bit short now, as he was looking for further and also the tight turning Gosford layout not really suiting his length of stride, we still rated him a very short price favourite.
We had him rated as a $1.20 chance and only bad luck could play a part.
When the track became a Heavy 8, we were
more confident we could get the job done.
We were surprised when the market had him at a generous $1.45 chance 10 minutes before the start, but he blew out late in betting after huge money came for the horse that finished well back in third, some 5.56 lengths behind us.
To see our horse get out to a
very backable $2.20 as they jumped, we are confident that many of his owners are thrilled with the price they secured and are duly celebrating on Thursday evening.
First Footman from Dynamic Syndications on Vimeo.
FIRST FOOTMAN & TOMMY BERRY return to the Winner's Circle
CONGRATULATIONS to our Loyal Ownership Team who race FIRST FOOTMAN: Dynamic Syndications Racing, Matrix Racing, Tunku Shahabuddin, Mr JV Beresford, Ms P L Leeper, Mr S Najda, Mr R J Gall, Mr G Tew, Mr R J Herbert, Miss W K Bauer, Mr K B Rice, Mr B E Johnson, Mr T Cottam, C J R Racing
Importantly to us here at Dynamic Syndications, this was our 47th Win for the 2019/20 Racing Season and our 644th Race Win overall.
Whilst FIRST FOOTMAN became our 227th Individual Winner.
Also we acknowledge the job the FREEDMAN BROTHERS Training Team are doing for us here at Dynamic Syndications. This was their 17th Race Win they have trained for us over 17 months.
Onwards and Upwards!