LUGH Wins in a Class Record First Up Off 477 Days for Our Dynamic MAHER Team

26 Jan 25

477 days seems like an eternity in racing and Owners need to have courage to keep going through the dark times of accounts coming in monthly but no enjoyment of the sport of racing and no prizemoney to offset the financial leakage.

However, when a horse such as LUGH comes along, and in his first racing prep he had 3 starts, winning his first 2 races before stepping out in trip at stakes level at his third start, we had high hopes for the son of Snitzel.

Disappointingly an injury and a long recouperation had to be endured. During this time, he needed to be gelded as well, as he was getting far too heavy.

After 63 weeks off the scene, it was firstly quality veterinary care, then a Shane Rose masterclass of rehabilitation work and foundation fitness. Then the ball was passed to Ciaron Maher for another training masterclass. They continued the rehabilitation training that saw our bit of a tubby gelding resume in a trial before Christmas on the 19th December at Warwick Farm where he punched around for a look and see at low intensity.

That was followed again by a second trial at Warwick Farm on the 3rd January, where it was yet again a trial used just over 800m to clean up his wind without being under pressure.

The long, slow, foundation building had laid the platform for a sizzling win at Newcastle on Saturday when LUGH – ridden by Andrew Adkins, unfurled a blistering last 600m of 33.71secs, the fastest of the day at the track, to break 1:10.00 for the 1200m Benchmark 68 and set a new Class Record of 1:09.99.

This result was at a trip considered well short of what we believe will suit him better on genetics and type, out to 1600m or even further.

The Ciaron Maher team had our 4yo gelding fit for this first up assignment where punters believed he would need a run or two off the extended lay-off. Also, another brilliant gear change by the team when they added the use of a tongue-tie to help his breathing first-up.

That’s the difference with being in the Ciaron Maher stable, they are masters at horse husbandry and all the 1% extras. With patient owners, they can deliver wonderful results.

LUGH won Race 7, the JIM VELICH MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1200m)

1st of 11 NCLE 25Jan25 1200m Good4 BM68 $20,550 Andrew Adkins 59.0kg Barrier 9 Rtg 64
2nd Zouprince 57.5kg, 3rd Merchant Gold 55kg 1:09.99 (600m 34.46), 0.9L,
10th@800m, 8th@400m, $10/$12/$13/$12.

Our 4yo Chestnut Gelding LUGH by SNITZEL from MARCIA PROBA took his career summary to: 4 starts: 3 Wins:0:0 and $66,300. He has won at 1200 (2) 1500m. 1st Up: 2:2-0-0. 2nd Up: 1:1-0-0. Dist: 2:2-0-0. Track Good: 3:3-0-0.

LUGH had drawn ugly in barrier 9 of 11 and after jockeys were declared, was left to carry 59.0kgs top weight as other runners had utilised apprentice claims. So not only were we drawn off the track, but we also had to carry top-weight and the speed map showed good tempo. So we surmised that we were unable to get forward from the draw, so chose to go back and help him since he was so long between runs and match fitness.

As the gates clanged back, LUGH was away with the leaders in what was panning out as expected, that the field underneath him wanted to push up. Andrew Adkins then eased out of the battle and came across and found a spot that looked likely he would get into the running line worse than mid-field but with cover. However, that gap closed, and he was trapped 3 deep after the 1000m marker. Andrew asked LUGH to come back under him and by giving a length, was able to get into the one off the fence spot but was back in 10th of 11 runners as the field thundered past the 900m marker.

Coming down the side of the track, past the 600m and then onto the point of the home turn, the field began to bunch but no rider was pushing the go button early as they passed the 500m then the 450m still nothing until the field swung into the top of the home straight at the 400m.

Andrew had LUGH tracking up but was 5 lengths off the leader on the fence Zou Prince, who would hold on to finish second, with eventual third placed Merchant Gold on the back of Zou Prince. LUGH was spotting them both weight, a significant head start, and distance as we were beginning to track up a bit deeper to gain a run.

As we swung into the straight, the horse directly in front of LUGH was Chester Warrior (App Olivia Dalton) who went 3 deep taking the spot Andrew was angling for. Instead of panicking and pushing out wider, Andrew undercut back to the inside of that runner and saved ground to pass it.

When that happened another runner Leandra (Lee Magorian) lost its rudder when its rider ducked out in front of LUGH hampering Andrew to check LUGH out of his rightful running.

Then the rider of Power of the Brave (Andrew Gibbons) laid out off the fence, again hampering LUGH. That’s three (3) riders in the space of 150m that could have stopped our momentum.

But wait ….. There’s more! Worse still was apprentice Siena Grima on Cosy Corner who just came straight out from the fence. That was the reason Andrew Gibbons was pushed out onto LUGH and she didn’t stop and came out onto LUGH causing us to lose momentum at a vital stage.

Andrew tried his best to keep LUGH in a rhythm despite the checkered passage, the big weight and first-up fitness being a logical concerns. Passing the 200m LUGH who had been trapped wide early, then hampered in the straight from the 300m to the 200m, then at that stage should things have gone pear-shaped, then we still would have been delighted with the resumption run. However, nobody was telling LUGH and Andrew that they couldn’t win!

Having been hampered by Cosy Corner, Andrew had steered LUGH to its outside and was now 5 deep and 3 lengths off the leader and they were 180m from the camera.

Andrew gave LUGH the galloping room he needed, and with a burst of energy, LUGH changed gears and opened up his large stride to give chase.

Hitting the 100m marker LUGH was full of running and was reeling-in the leader but still had over a length to make up and was giving away weight and fitness.

Stride-by-stride LUGH sprouted wings and 25 metres from the camera LUGH stuck his nose in front and with the final 5 strides he ran away from his opposition to post a 0.9 length winning margin over Zou Prince with Merchant Gold 1.23 lengths third.

Despite the checkered passage, the big weight, long time off and shorter than ideal trip, LUGH was not only too good, he broke 1:10.00 set a New Class Record at 1:09.99 lowering the previous mark by 0.16 secs (1 length) and ran the fastest last 600m of the day in 33.71 winning with authority with a sprint that only unfurled with 180m to go.

JOB DONE - He’s Back!

Post-Race Andy Adkins recorded a video message for the owners saying “Well done guys! That was good. He obviously jumped nicely, and I just wanted to be quiet, and I sat a long way off them (leaders), and he has some finish there. It was just allowing him to have that today after a long break.

“Found a really good rhythm, I was happy with the speed there was enough pressure, I just let him suck through them.
Obviously, his last furlong was his best. Obviously, he let down tremendously and came away with a really nice win. A good start to his preparation, felt great, pulled up excellent. He’s in a really good frame of mind, and he’s looking great, so the team’s got him firing. Thank you.”

Post-Race Stewards Report: Lugh – From a wide barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages. App. S Grima (Cosy Corner) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR131(a) in that approaching the 350m she permitted her mount to shift out when initially not clear of Power Of The Brave, which was hampered and shifted in. She then continued to let her mount to shift out into the path of Lugh, which was also hampered. App. S Grima’s permit to ride in races was suspended for a period to commence on Wednesday, 29 January 2025 and to expire on Sunday, 2 February 2025, on which day she may ride.

A big Thank You to a dedicated, big-hearted, and courageous team of loyal Dynamic Owners who didn’t lose hope through the dark early days of LUGH’s rehab.

CONGRATULATIONS on your third win in four starts: Dynamic Syndications Racing, Mr A Cranes, Mr S B Troughton, Mrs P Smith, Mr C Raymond, Mr E Jomaa, Miskalli, Mrs T E Parish, Mr A M Parish, C J R Racing, Mr S R Freeman, Mr S W Clinton-Morgan, Mr G Maris, Mr M G Howlin, Mr J D Lanyon, Downhill Racing, Beams.

Congratulations to Andrew Adkins for the power of belief. Despite what was being dished-up to him in the home straight, he used his skills to keep our horse extending to the line.

Most importantly, to CIARON MAHER RACING on their outstanding horse husbandry skills to deliver this victory for our ownership team.

The win recorded Dynamic Syndications 916th Race Win and our 26th Race Win for the season.

Onwards and Upwards - Forever forwards !

This would become Dynamic Syndications Second WIN on the day at Newcastle after winning race 5 with THINK WE’RE THERE.