Apprentice Matt McGillivray's decision to split his time between Sydney and Brisbane has paid dividends for him and our Owners of
DREAM CHOICE with the horse’s
outstanding win at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Dream Choice ($7.70) made up six lengths in the straight to beat Into the Red by 1-1/4 lengths in the Northside Women's Health Handicap, an Open 1200m Hcp.
McGillivray was apprenticed in Brisbane but decided to switch to John Sargent in Sydney last month.
"I have ridden a few winners in Sydney but during the spring carnival it is hard for apprentices to get rides on Saturdays," McGillivray said.
"So I decided to ride in NSW during the weeks and up here on Saturdays."
McGillivray partnered Dream Choice who has proven a great money spinner since he was sent north from Sydney to Eagle Farm trainer Robert Heathcote.
"He (Dream Choice) has reached his right level here and should be able to win a few more," Heathcote said.
In this event, there appeared to be significant speed and the race would be run very hard early.
Tactically we felt if we could be in touch with the leaders at the 600m with the pull in the weights we should close hard the final 200m.
This is how the race panned out. Settling in fifth position 8 lengths off the speed at the 800m and feeling the pinch at 600m 6 lengths off the pace, Matthew kept Dream Choice balanced as they swung for home. The leaders headed out to the middle of the track and Dream Choice was steered wider, coming down the outside.
Every stride, Dream Choice made ground and from the furlong it was obvious Dream Choice was closing hard and would hit the front. He went past the leader 50m from the post and forged clear to score over a length victory.
Robert Heathcote was interviewed by Bart Sinclair post-race saying: " Fitness played its part here, but also he's had good experience on this track, his runs have been good and he showed that today although to the 600m he looked like he wasn't travelling too well and young Matthew had to get stuck into him, but at the 300m I was confident he would get there."
"I've got to give the connections credit, the Dynamic Syndications boys, Adam called me and said look I think if we put Matthew on and take the 2.0kgs off it could make all the difference and I think it has."
"We will continue to race in these type of races here, it's attractive for us here in Queensland now, we get these horses from Sydney and Melbourne, I know a number of other trainers have had success with horses coming up, our prizemoney is good, $40,000 (to the winner) for these Saturday races and this horse has now won three (3) of them so it was a good move by the connections."
"This horse is a bit of a quiet achiever, he's won ten (10) races, a little like his trainer perhaps, he loves Eagle Farm."
Apprentice Jockey Matthew McGillivray when interviewed about Dream Choice "his fitness, he just kept coming, look he's a very tough horse, the pace was really blistering today. At the 300 (the leaders) looked as if they were going to come back on us and the leader had gone too hard and the only thing to do was to run down the leader, so he did the job."
"I also want to thank the connections. Dynamic for putting me on and Rob Heathcote for putting me on this horse - Thank you."
This was the first ride for the trainer/jockey combination for many months after the high profile duo had an acrimonious split.
Heathcote admitted he had a falling out with McGillivray when he was based in Brisbane but felt the apprentice was now a more mature rider.
“I did have a parting of the ways with Matt when he wasn’t happy after being taken off one of my runners (Dream Choice) when he was in Brisbane last time,” Heathcote said.
“But I was one of his biggest supporters when he first came back after his drug related suspension.
“There’s never been any doubt the kid can ride.”
But the maturity and professionalism of both men came through when
Adam Watt at Dynamic Syndications identified the availability of Matt at the meeting and Matt McGillivray's 2.0kg claim and under the weight scale of this event,
Dream Choice looked a handicapping certainty. Adam contacted both trainer and rider and smoothed the waters ensuring a renewal of the powerful combination would be to our owners benefit. It worked a treat.
The race caller said: "He's an honest sprinter, that's his tenth win today. Dream Choice proving too strong."
“Took the upper hand, moving clear late and won.”
DREAM CHOICE race career is 50 starts: 10 wins, 5 seconds, 4 thirds and $442,435 prizemoney.
Since moving north to Robert Heathcote in Brisbane, Dream Choice has now raced on 8 occasions: 3 wins, 2 thirds and $135,900.
DREAM CHOICE 8yo gelding by Redoute's Choice ex Patou.
Purchased by Dynamic Syndications at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $150,000.
Congratulations to our loyal team of Dynamic Owners that race Dream Choice:
Dynamic Syndications Dream Choice Syndicate, Mrs T Georgiou, Mr G Harvey, Mr P M Bonilla, Mr J Yianni, Mr J R Carter, Mr G G Gobby, Mr J P Keeley, Mr K Syrros
Margin 1.25 lens x 1.75 lens ; Time 1:12.47 Last 600m 36.69.
1st Dream Choice 2nd Into The Red, 3rd The Monstar.
WATCH THE RACE HERE: