The extremely talented
I AM SPECIAL may be enigmatic but she sure can run and proved this at her second career start at Canberra on Friday when
trainer Brad Widdup, jockey Christian Reith and Team Dynamic combined again, this time to
win race 1 on the programme the Revive Bathrooms / GMG Hummer Maiden Plate over 1000m as a $1.75 Favourite.
She posted a time of 0:58.74 Last 600m: 0:33.94 scoring by 0.71 lens X 3.0 lens.
Ridden a treat by in form Christian Reith, I AM SPECIAL jumped quickly from the gates and pushed forward in search of the lead however first starter Ima Pocket Rocket hit the ground running determined to find the fence to lead so Christian angled
I AM SPECIAL across to sit at the girth of the leader.
The race continued in this format until the field swung for home where Christian pushed the go button and the filly dashed to the front. The leader faded but the runner-up Luzonica having a 2.5kgs pull in the weights, challenged down the outside but that was fended off with Christian being kind and only riding our filly under hands and heels to maintain his winning margin.
This was a fantastic result for connections as the mare has been a highly strung and somewhat troublesome soul.
She is lucky to be alive after a nasty racetrack training incident almost cost her life.
Returning from track work one morning, the flighty filly took fright at something and reared up on her hind legs. She went so far up that she toppled over onto her back and came down hard on the roadway. Such was the impact that she broke her skull and her wither and was considered a hopeless case. She was rushed to the vet hospital where that installed a stent into the skull to allow fluid to drain and her wither was flattened like a pancake.
There were several times over the next 10 days she should have died but she fought hard and survived. She was then sent to the paddock for a long period of recuperation.
After extensive rehab work at Wild Oaks, the filly made a remarkable recovery and was passed fit by the vet to return to a small stable so she was transferred to
Brad Widdup who with time and patience, gave the mare fitness and confidence.
After two slashing trials, we took her to CESSNOCK two weeks ago where as a $1.35 favourite after just 20 metres she put on an awful rodeo show as she decided racing wasn't for her and tried hard to throw rider Christian Reith, they took no part in the race.
She had to barrier trial again for the stewards which she did, when having a soft time at Hawkesbury on Monday and having behaved herself, was given the all clear.
So facing the starter for just the second time, off a dramatic first race, there were some anxious Owners waiting to see what she would do.
However there was no split personality on display at Canberra, just raw ability and she controlled the race beautifully from the front.
Congratulations goes to the loyal Owners that race I AM SPECIAL who never gave up hope of this horse would return and be successful always believing she was aptly named.
Dynamic Syndications Racing, Mr N D Loader, Mr J Kasbarian, Mr S J Hodder, Mr A L Beaton, Mr A Pino, Mr W E Muller, Mr N W Honey, Mrs A J Ford, Mr D S French, Mr M Grogan, Mrs G Wyld, Mr M Mazzeo, Mr P Woodworth, Mrs S Haggett, Mr C Charalambous, Mr D C Batchelor, Molesworth
In breaking her maiden I AM SPECIAL became our 3rd winner in 24 hours having had a double the day before at Hawkesbury with SAVAPINSKI and PLEASANTRIES.
I AM SPECIAL recorded Dynamic Race Win number 498 and she was our 170th Individual Winner.
She also was our 11th Winner since the start of the new racing season 7 weeks ago.
We are excited to be nearing our 500th race win with just 2 wins remaining.