Dynamic Syndications owners had plenty to cheer about on Friday evening, 26 September at the Sunshine Coast, when our talented gelding SHELSTEIN turned in a brilliant front-running display to capture the Bathersby Legal Benchmark 68 Handicap (1200m) in dominant fashion.
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Sent out the red-hot favourite ($1.80 → $1.60), the Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained son of Written Tycoon jumped quickly from barrier six and immediately rolled to the front under Ben Thompson.
Travelling smoothly, he dictated terms with ease and was never headed, holding the lead at both the 800m and the 400m.
At the top of the straight, Thompson asked for an effort and SHELSTEIN responded with a sharp acceleration, kicking clear at the 300m to put the race safely beyond doubt.
The flashy gelding did have a brief lapse in concentration inside the final stages, beginning to star-gaze at the infield screen, the grandstand and the bright floodlights from the 150m mark.
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But when Thompson asked him to switch on again at the 100m, SHELSTEIN lengthened stride, maintained his margin and coasted to the line a clear winner.
He stopped the clock in 1:11.15 on the Soft 5 surface, running his final 600m in 35.20 seconds, with a winning margin of 1.29 lengths over stablemate Anarita (55.5kg), while Gagnante Enchere (54kg) was a further short head away in third.
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For his delighted ownership team, the victory was yet another reason to celebrate. Raced in the famous Dynamic Syndications white silks with red cap, SHELSTEIN is a 4yo bay or brown gelding by Written Tycoon from Sylvia’s Mother, foaled on 8 September 2021.
Prepared at Eagle Farm by Annabel & Rob Archibald, he has now built an impressive record of 11 starts for 3 wins, 1 second and 4 thirds, earning $97,500 including prizemoney plus $5,625 in bonuses.
His wins have all come over 1200m, including two on Soft going, and he has proven himself a reliable and progressive galloper with more to offer.
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This latest victory, achieved under lights and in style, confirmed SHELSTEIN’s natural speed, professionalism, and capacity to keep improving as he matures. It was his third career success and showcased a gelding clearly on the rise — one that promises to continue climbing the grades and delivering many more thrills for his ownership group:
Dynamic Syndications Racing, Mr G R Glynn, Mr S D Murray, Mrs P Smith, Mr W E Muller, Mr M P Lockwood, Mr A Cranes, Mr S R Niven, Mr G D Sharp, Mr D J Harrison, Mr W Peart, Stolk Racing, Mr S Millsom, Mr P J Wimpey, Mr P L Ward, Mr G J P Van Ameyden, Berkeley Park Stud, BLG Racing and Mr R Roberts.
It was a performance full of class and authority under the Sunshine Coast lights — and one that stamped SHELSTEIN as a horse to follow with confidence as his exciting journey with Dynamic Syndications continues.
The Win by SHELSTEIN was Dynamic Syndications 965th Race Win overall and our 14th for the new 2025-26 Racing Season.
Onwards and Upwards!