KRAMBACH CUP – WON IT !
The Dynamic Syndications JASON DEAMER trained galloper GREEK HERO (7yo g by CHAMPS ELYSEES (GB) from ZA ZA ZOOM (IRE)) won the 1600m BAKEWELL HAULAGE - KRAMBACH CUP at TAREE on Friday afternoon 14/10 in a time of 1:38.59 (600m 36.36), ridden by Ben Looker.
Apart from claiming the CUP, and the $17,800 first prize, the Winner is Exempt from Ballot for the 2022 TAREE CUP to be run in November.
GREEK HERO (62.5kgs) ($1.80 fav) defeated VALLEY’S SISTER (55.0kgs) ($9.50) by 0.65 length with MISTER SMARTEE (55.0kgs) ($12) 0.71 lengths in third, ahead of SUPER (57.0kgs) ($3.40) 1.75 lengths away in fourth.
Always our plan to target the $100,000 TAREE CUP 2000m in November, a race the Dynamic/Deamer Combination won in 2020 with DECROUX,
ADAM WATT at Dynamic Syndications mapped out a plan for Jason Deamer to follow, to ensure “Zorba” would be given his opportunity.
His progress from the day he returned from the paddock into training, has continued nicely and this race as his third run back, was the perfect consolidation run to launch up in trip in the coming runs.
GREEK HERO was a dual acceptor this weekend, being top-weight in the Krambach Cup asked to lump 62.5kgs on Friday over a mile on a Heavy 8, and he was the pre-market favourite on Saturday at Eagle Farm over 1820m with 57.5kgs on a Good 4.
However, we chose to run at Taree in the KRAMBACH CUP for various reasons and the result was favourable.
Despite carrying 62.5kgs, our Team believed he was very well placed with that weight, giving away up to 7.5kgs to those on the limit.
Unlucky not to win when runner-up at Eagle Farm in a Benchmark 90 at his most recent start, he came out of that race as a Benchmark 77 rating in Queensland.
Coming back from Saturday 90 company at 1600m to a Country 87 grade, he was only rated as a Country Benchmark 90.
We were expecting to be allotted 65.0kgs and to get 62.5kgs was considered by us a serious invitation by the handicapper to run.
That’s only 1.5kgs = 1 length above a standard top weight in the bush of 61.0kgs on a 6.0kgs spread.
When we looked at the opposition at acceptance time, each of those on the limit of 55.0kgs were poorly placed, as their true weights were significantly less than what they were being asked to carry at 55.0kgs.
His class as a Saturday metro horse, back to a bush race, we felt he was well in.
Our only issue was the state of the track. We know he doesn’t like a heavy surface and the track was a Heavy 8 rating the night before, however we were aware the track had undergone a renovation and hadn’t been used for a while and the grass would be well knitted so we weighed up our options.
As it played out the Track was rated a Soft 7 this morning and was upgraded to a Soft 6 by race time.
Overall, we believed staying at 1600m, would be more beneficial for laying foundations, than jumping another 220m at Eagle Farm to 1820m. Plus, we believe a short road trip from Newcastle to Taree was easier on ZORBA than the long trip up and back again to Eagle Farm.
Our assessment was proven correct.
Opening in the early markets at $3.60, he was backed heavily into $1.80.
Our instructions were simply to come out neutral and let him balance-up in a small field.
The map was showing the field would run along.
Then as the field swings into the straight, go around them to keep his momentum under the 62.5kgs and then run down the centre of the track, building up momentum from the turn to the post.
Things didn’t quite go to plan, but the result was a win so we can’t be disappointed.
As soon as the gates crashed back, the race panned out nicely for us. We settled 3 pairs back after the first 200m, 6 lengths off the leaders. But from the 1000m to the 800m the leaders dropped anchor and peeled off two slow sectionals including a 12.88 split to turn the race into a sit and sprint.
Then the sprint came on earlier than expected at the 600m and jockey Ben Looker had three across in front of him struggling with the quickening tempo.
I can’t answer what Ben was thinking at this point, but instead of following our plan, he chose to cut the corner behind them and ride for luck, with the risk of copping a check in running and changing our momentum to a sit and sprint.
As it panned out, he was getting bogged down and horses were running about, and Zorba’s connections were pulling their hair out at the 250m.
Then the gap appeared at 200m, and spotting the leader 7.5kgs, and a 2.5 lengths head start, Ben got to work and Zorba went through his gears so quickly that Ben was able to sit up and smile for the photo over the last 5 strides.
Job Done!
Trainer JASON DEAMER was interviewed post-race and commentator Gary Kleise said: “You were getting a bit warm there Jason, particularly at the 200m I was watching you, and you were starting to sweat a little bit, what’s wrong?
Jason replied, “Yeah, no it wasn’t the hot temperature, but there was a bit of a temperature going on inside my head as I was watching.
"Yeah at the 200m things looked a bit risky, but luckily with the big weight, he picked himself up and really hit the line well. Lucky he had the class edge on them because it was well documented that he had a big weight. But he was the best horse in the race and he carried it very well.
"He just lobbed along nicely and cut he corner and got out at the right time, and to his credit, he still picked himself up and hit the line pretty well.
"It’s our little plan the Taree Cup, and Adam Watt at Dynamic Syndications planned this before he came back in, we had it picked out. I am pretty sure it’s the 20th November, it’s a Sunday, and that’s our goal.
"It’s one of our reasons too why we didn’t go back to Eagle Farm for tomorrow, keeping that in mind, bring him up here today, have a go around the track, and because that’s our little target at this stage the Taree Cup, and he’s ticking along nicely, in that direction."
Gary Kliese than said: “Jason gee he looked good in the yard that horse, absolutely healthy, I know he was $1.80 but he was one healthy horse that horse.”
Jason replied, “Yes this time in, he had a long spell at Gooree Farm where they do a fantastic job, horses always come back in and return much stronger, and that’s just him this time too.
"He’s very happy and a bit stronger, and he’s fit and well, and a very happy horse.
"It’s great to get him home for Dynamic, they love winning a cup race, so hopefully we will be back in about 5 weeks and win another one. Thank you.”
Then jockey Ben Looker was interviewed: “Ben you decided to ride him for a bit of luck and thankfully it came your way.”
“Yeah, on straightening I felt Jason’s hands around my neck, because he said get rolling, but the tempo just didn’t play how I wanted it too.
"They really backed off in the middle stages and if I got going at the 600m, I was going to get flushed off the track, and I knew he was going up the 10.5 kilos.
"I knew he was obviously the best horse in the race, so I just played the averages, that a run would open, and when it did, to my horse’s credit he really let down good, with the 62.5kgs and got himself through it. It was a good win, it’s good to ride a winner for Jason and these Owners.
"Jason has been a great supporter of mine, over the years, so to ride the winner for him was a big thrill.
“Without a doubt he will be competitive in the Taree Cup, he’s a push button ride, so he’ll have no problems staying the trip.”
Co-Owner Ray Gabbert & Jason Deamer celebrate in the Winner's Room
Congratulations to the Team of Loyal Owners that race GREEK HERO: Dynamic
Syndications Racing, Mrs A T Woollett, Mr S R Freeman, Mr S B
Troughton, Mr A Cranes, Mr G Tew, Mr L Seminara, Mr M Moullakis, Mr A D
Vella, Mrs H Bolton, Mr W R J Gabbert, Mr D F R Yesberg, Ms J D
Mcguffie, Mr W J Noonan
Watch the Replay
Greek Hero - Krambach Cup Winner 14.10.22 from Dynamic Syndications on Vimeo.
Greek Hero took his overall record to 29-5:5:3 and Prizemoney: $218,959
He has won twice at 1500m and 3-times at 1600m.
We purchased Greek Hero from the Tattersalls Sales in England and this was his 21st race start in Australia for his 3rd Win along with 7 placings + 4 fourths.
Congratulation also goes to ADAM WATT at Dynamic Syndications. This was a race that was a highlight to win, having spent a lot of time in the Krambach area, spending holiday time and growing up at the family's farm. It was a sentimental win as much as it was a vital win on the way to the Taree Cup.
This was Dynamic Syndications 9th Win for the new season and our 789th Win overall.
Onwards and Upwards !