Second up from a spell at 1700m, in a Benchmark 66 at Scone on a Good 4 deck, NAVAL COMMISSION (Merchant Navy x Parfaits) was too tough in a two-horse war up the length of the Scone straight to hold out the runner-up for a gutsy victory.
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After a strong first up resumption run, when finishing second at Goulburn over 1600m, our CIARON MAHER trained staying prospect was entitled to be caught late by the runner-up Overice but refused to yield in a stirring effort of toughness and courage under fire.
Race 6 on the programme was the THANK YOU RUSTY GUTS COFFEE Bm66 Hcp (1700m)
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NAVAL COMMISSION ($4.40) ridden by Ash Morgan, carried 59.0kgs and held out Overice (58.0kgs) ($6.0) by 0.04 length with Global Encounter (58.0kgs) ($20) 2.82 lengths away in third place in the field of 13 starters.
Drawn awkwardly in barrier 11 of 13, we were not concerned to be positive, as the long run down the back straight at Scone allows runners to work across and take up a position.
Ideally, we wanted to be positive and land just in behind the leaders however if the tempo was fair then we could stride forward and sit outside the leader.
As the gates crashed back, NAVAL COMMISSION was away evenly, on the outside of Overice (barrier 10) who was rolling forward to be positive after 100m and sit at the girth of Mr Severino ($21) who took up the running.
Ash tried to roll across as well and get the one-one spot however Global Encounter pushed up underneath us, and that forced Ash to sit out 3-deep. Ash bided his time and let the tempo settle before moving up and around Overice who restrained to get the trail on our back.
This landed us in the perfect spot at the girth of the leader, but it allowed Overice an easy time with cover. The early fractionals were even and having established his position on the outside of Mr Severino, Ash allowed NAVAL COMMISSION to back off the tempo and bowl along in a rhythm. The field was strung out over a dozen lengths as they thundered down the side of the track and others started to make their moves passing the 600m.
As the field swung for home, Ash released the brakes, and allowed NAVAL COMMISSION to push forward and eyeball the leader.
As this was taking place, Overice who had the gun run in transit on our back, moved out of our heels and with the pull in the weights of 1.0kg began to lay down a determined challenge.
From the 300m to the camera flash, both horses and riders refused to yield.
Both combinations had every bone and muscle twitching under the stress and strain of giving their all. The early work, the extra weight and the race fitness should have seen Overice get home over the top of NAVAL COMMISSION, but nobody told NAVAL COMMISSION that.
He refused to surrender and fought right past the winning post to claim his win.
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This was his third win in ten starts and whilst he is a 4yo, he is only now starting to fill out into his tremendous frame.
CIARON MAHER and Johann Gerard-Duboard (Aussie Joh) have been patient and polished this horse into a magnificent equine athlete.
As the distances increase, he will continue to improve as he is a true 2000m – 2400m horse in the making and has the ability to land near the front and go to sleep, before peeling off fast closing splits which is a huge advantage.
Importantly he ticked an important box in this event, winning on a Good 4 surface, having won both his previous wins on Heavy tracks. For a 1700m event, they flew home here in 34.0 secs flat, which when considering the 1000m Bm66 ran home in 33.54, NAVAL COMMISSIONS ran remarkably slick and it’s no wonder at this grade nothing could get past him.
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CONGRATULATIONS to the Dynamic Ownership Team that own and race NAVAL COMMISSION: Dynamic Syndications Racing, Mr P J Woollett, Mr J W Sutherland, Mr A S Taylor, Mr D M Badger, Ms J E Mors, Team 2750, Mr G S J England, Gallop Schnell, Mr J Johnson, Mr A Holbeck, P R M F Racing, Mr J R Gilmore, Mr J J Davis, Ms DM Goodwin, Mrs T E Parish, Mr A M Parish, Mr A Torino, Dynamic No 144.
Naval Commission - Winner 16.4.24 from Dynamic Syndications on Vimeo.
NAVAL COMMISSION has advanced his career record to 10 starts-3:2:3 Prizemoney: $71,625
His wins have been at 1400m, 1700m, 2100m and with two wins on Heavy tracks and now two runs under his belt, he will continue to improve in fitness and being on the doorstep of a winter campaign, we are looking forward to this preparation that lies ahead.
This win was Dynamic Syndications 47th Race win for the season and our 875th Race Win overall.
Onwards and Upwards – Forever Forwards!