Racing as everyone knows is a Sport capable of delivering incredible
Highs and bottomless Lows. It’s certainly character building.
When Dynamic Syndications went to the William Inglis Australian Ester Yearling Sales in 2011, we had several horses marked on paper as having superior genetic capability. One of these was Lot 316 a colt by Champion Racehorse and Sire LONHRO from the Redoute’s Choice mare LADY OF CHOICE.
SPECIFIC CHOICE as a Yearling at William Inglis Easter Yearling Sales
He was a big, raw boned angular type, who was marginally offset with a minor splint on his near fore. He was a bit on the heavy side, having had a full yearling preparation on good feed and had the hallmarks of needing to be given time to mature into his frame before being pushed along in training.
Huntworth Stud presented a truly tough looking, tradesman like, son of Lonhro who had thrown more to the dam sire Redoute’s Choice.
SPECIFIC CHOICE as a Yearling at William Inglis Easter Sales
Whilst the mare was unraced, she had the bloodlines. She was a 1/2 sister to multiple SW BURRITO, and SP Amah Dramas and was a 1/2 sister to the dams of SW POSADAS and SW COLLATE. Whilst her dam was a 3/4 sister to SW and Successful Sire CLEAR CHOICE and a 1/2 sister to SW FAMED DEVIL and her Grand-dam was SW FAMED PRINCESS.
Most importantly, the breeders in selecting Lonhro as a suitable stallion for the mare, worked on what is proving to be the best cross for Lonhro, which is Danehill line mares. In particular, Redoute’s Choice has a good affinity with Lonhro. We had rated the genetic score of this yearling the equal highest of all Lonhro progeny catalogued at the sale.
When our vet Dr. Tim Roberts agreed that the yearling was a suitable candidate for purchase and then the x-rays were given the all clear, the colt became a high priority for the Dynamic Syndications stables.
He was targeted by us specifically to be aimed at middle distance as a late 3yo and older in such races. We were amazed that when he went through the sale ring, we were able to buy him for just $65,000.
Thanks William Inglis & Sons ! Dynamic Owners of Specific Choice
proudly display their $100,000 BONUS Cheque courtesy of the Inglis Race Series
At Rosehill on Saturday, he won Race 5 the Inglis – Find Your Next Racehorse Handicap – Inglis Bonus 1500m. A Benchmark 71, 3yo event, worth a First Prize Cheque of a MASSIVE $168,475 achieved by $48,750 winners cheque + a BOBS Bonus of $20,000 + a William Inglis and Sons Bonus for being a graduate of their Sale Series of an Additional $100,000.
Photo Finish
When Dynamic Syndications purchased the yearling, we immediately paid up the entry fees to the Inglis BONUS Series as well as the BOBS Bonus Series. That decision by Dynamic to enter the horse cost $2,600 all up and returned Dynamic Owners $120,000 in this event alone.
It was always our intent to give the middle distance - staying bred son of Lonhro to the best trainer of these horses in Sydney – CHRIS WALLER. It’s proved to be a masterstroke.
Specific Choice in control
In what is his first racing preparation, he is still very immature and runs like a big kid as the penny hasn’t dropped yet. He is a work in progress but we have some nice races in mind for him next preparation and beyond. He still has to achieve his own levels but on exposed form on the training track and on the racetrack, he has the opportunity to deliver our owners a lot of fun.
This race had been our target for many weeks. Despite the horse giving us every indication he wants a much further trip and he was coming towards the end of his preparation, we had identified the Inglis Bonus as a race to have a throw at the stumps.
Specific Choice - You can't catch me !
He wasn’t well suited for this event. In fact he is looking for 2000m now. So for Chris Waller and his outstanding team that put in all the hard yards to get these results, it was beautiful horse husbandry at work. They kept him fresh and mentally interested in the job at hand, although every body language indications were he was over it all and wanting a break. In fact, when Chris and Dean were over in NZ last Tuesday they had a conversation regarding would they run in the 1500m or go for a spell. Simply the horse was healthy and ready to run but did we have a go at the race or abort for a spell without the run. Opportunities like this do not come along often. This prizemoney was like winning a Group 2 event. So as we had aimed the colt for the race for several weeks, we both quickly dismissed these negative thought concepts of the spelling paddock, in favour of the run before heading to the paddock on Monday win, lose or draw.
In this event, the plan was from an awkward draw of barrier 8 of 14, it would be nice to see him settle in a mid-field position and get a nice easy time with cover. No doubt a solid tempo will suit our big horse and this will then give him some room at the top of the straight so that he can let down strongly.
We didn’t consider it was an overly strong race on paper but it did have a lot of depth with a many of the horses having shown promise at different stages of their early careers. There were though to be numerous chances on paper.
Specific Choice in Winning Form
However despite our pre determined race tactics, SPECIFIC CHOICE had different ideas - all of his own. He jumped brilliantly and lobbed in front, wanting to run. Hugh tried to take hold but the horse had other ideas and pulled himself to the lead. The brilliance of Hugh Bowman to sum up such situations quickly, came to the fore and he allowed our horse to roll along, not fighting him. As a result, after getting to the front, Specific Choice responded beautifully to Hugh and dropped the tempo and bowled along, getting away with some nice sectionals from the 800m – 600m and again from the 600m to the 400m.
Then as they swung for home Hugh gave him an urge along and Specific Choice dashed quickly, putting 3 lengths on his opponents. It became a catch me if you can from the 300m to the post but nothing made an impact and Hugh Bowman was able to give him an easy time the last 50m and the horse relaxed over the line.
SPECIFIC CHOICE eased down wins
Hugh Bowman gives his "She's Apples" Salute aboard Specific Choice
The time of 1:29.54 was a Class Record. The margin was 1/2 length by 1.8 lengths. He did it the hard way leading all the way and uncomfortably as well, having knocked out a tooth on the way to the barriers and blood flowing freely from the wound.
SPECIFIC CHOICE Returns a Winner !
Starting a $4.60 favourite, Specific Choice was facing the starter for just the 4th time in this, his first preparation. He has now recorded 2 wins, 1 second (beaten a nose) and also ran fifth. He had earned $36,000 which was more than acceptable in his first 3 starts for a $65,000 yearling who wants to get over ground as an older horse.
However with this win and the bonus money as well, he takes his earnings to $209,750.
He has won $79,750 in actual prizemoney and $30,000 in 2 BOBS Bonuses and a $100,000 Inglis Bonus.
Specific Choice heads to the paddock on Monday for a well deserved break to allow him to mature more into his huge hulking frame and come back stronger again and more mentally mature.
What a great thrill for a top bunch of owners. From Dynamic Syndications perspective, we are thrilled to have so many first time owners in the horse and the majority are first time Dynamic Syndications clients as well. We have many young owners too, which is a happy and healthy sign for our industry because they are the lifeblood of our sport going forward.
Congratulations to our fantastic Team of Dynamic Owners who own a promising racehorse:
DYNAMIC SYNDICATIONS RACING (Synd)
MR D Watt (Mgr)
MR R STOJKOVSKI
DR D S CHOW
MR P R SAMIOS
MISS A J HAYES
WESTON CREEK RACING (Synd)
MR D J JEFFERY (Mgr)
MR N W HONEY
MR K ANTOINE
MR J G MASON
MR A W MONFRIES
HOWRUSHUN (Synd)
MR M ELLIS (Mgr)
MR J S WATSON (Rep)
WHITTON DUKE RACING (Synd)
MR W L DUKE (Mgr)
MR T WHITTON (Rep)
DYNAMIC SYNDICATIONS NO 15 (Synd)
MR D W WATT (Mgr)
MR A J PULBROOK
MS M ANDREATTA
MISS T CLEMENTS
DYNAMIC SYNDICATIONS NO 16Synd
MR D W WATT (Mgr)
MR P FORMAN
MR G W SMITH
MR J LE