Jockey Jeff Penza combined with the Jason Coyle trained MASTERSTROKE, to produce a Dynamic win at Kembla Grange on Saturday and in doing so, recorded our 6th win of the new season and our 350th win overall.
MASTERSTROKE (5yo g Exceed And Excel ex Star Plume) lumped 58.5kgs and led all the way, running into a strong headwind in the straight but was never under threat, to score in race 5, the Macey Insurance Brokers Hcp by 1.25 lengths x short neck running a slick 1:22.50 coming home his last 600m in 34.50. This was just 0.52 outside the Track Record, set in 1995 and that could have been under serious threat had there been any pressure applied to MASTERSTROKE who was ridden a treat by Jeff Penza and allowed to get away with soft sectionals mid-race and coasted to the post the final 25 metres.
What appeared to be an even race on paper, was the thought of bookmaker and punter alike as the 8 runners paraded, 7 of the 8 were in single figures and MASTERSTROKE was favourite at the luxury price of $4:00.
Instructions to our rider where simple enough. Be positive and push forward to lead the first furlong. With a race with a few apprentices involved, try to dictate but if something goes silly let it it go and stalk. If you can lead, control the race from in front. Jeff gave MASTERSTROKE the perfect ride. Any young apprentice should watch the replay to see how it should be done.
First to jump away, Jeff pushed up and controlled the race from the outset, clearing the field before the first turn to control the tempo from the fence. Whilst Grant Buckley tried to send last start winner Halo's Image up to eyeball us, MASTERSTROKE was under a tight hold. A surprising mid-race move by Dolphi's Boy's apprentice saw that runner attempt to push up 3 deep before the turn but it was under pressure whilst Halo's Image busted like a pricked balloon and dropped out to finish last.
As the field thundered into the home turn, Jeff let MASTERSTROKE have a little reign and the horse slipped 3 lengths in front at the top of the straight. Despite running into a strong headwind in the straight, MASTERSTROKE responded to dominate the race before being urged to concentrate by the rider at the 200m mark. The race was over and Jeff gave the horse a easy time in the final 75 metres and then eased down the final 25 metres.
There is little doubt that the track record was under threat had MASTERSTROKE had any serious pressure applied.
Jeff returned to scale advising that the horse went very well and he was surprised with the way he was able to show good gate speed and lead with ease and then when he got to the front, the horse switched off and travelled in an economical rhythm. When he went for him at the top of the straight, the horse responded well and put a gap in them and it was just a matter of keeping Masterstroke's mind on the job.
Importantly the way he was able to switch off mid race, strongly indicated he would be very effective up to a mile.
Jason Coyle had the horse looking a treat and was certainly the pick of the parade ring. Having had 3 solid runs back this preparation complete with a top effort the previous start stepping up from 1100m to 1400m and just getting nutted on the line when 3rd, he was now fit and well and seasoned for the trip. He didn't let his Team of Owners or trainer down.
MASTERSTROKE took his career tally to 29 starts: 4 wins, 5 seconds and 3 thirds and has won $129,120. 1000m (3), 1400m (1).
He has won 3 races at Kembla and a race at Warwick Farm.
Congratulations to our Dynamic Team that race MASTERSTROKE:
Dynamic Synd Racing (Mgr D Watt)
DCI Synd (Mgr D Shannon)
Sprat Racing Synd (Mgr E Spratt)
Dynamic Synd Masterstroke Synd (Mgr D Watt)
T Johnstone
G Rassos
D Kolo
Mrs D Elfes.
