SPACEBALLS bounces into Winner’s Circle with Fastest Final Furlong of Day

There are victories that are comfortable… and then there are victories that make your heart skip a beat. 

On Thursday at Hawkesbury, SPACEBALLS delivered the latter launching with a withering late surge to claim the lucky last, the Clarendon Tavern F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap over 1300 metres, in a finish that had everyone on their feet.



Turning for home the task looked significant. In Limbo had travelled strongly and kicked clear at the 200m. SPACEBALLS, positioned back in the field after settling eighth at the 800m and still seventh at the 400m, was going to need both luck and a serious turn of foot.

Zac Lloyd, cool and composed, had ridden her to suit. From Barrier 9 carrying 61kgs no luxury under the conditions he allowed her to find her rhythm early. They didn’t go overly quick in front, which made it even harder for those chasing.




On a day where making ground had proven difficult, it required something special.





When the split came, Lloyd didn’t hesitate. He saved ground, angled through the middle and let her balance up. What followed was electric.

The racecaller captured the drama perfectly: “Spaceballs having a dive… and got up on the line!”



In the final strides she lunged, grabbing victory by a widening 0.34 of a length in a slick 1:16.93. Her last 600m was 34.51 but it was the final 200m in 11.26 that told the story.



It was the fastest last furlong of the entire eight-race meeting. That’s acceleration. That’s courage. That’s a mare who wants to win despite carrying the grandstand.

Trainer Jason Deamer admitted he wasn’t entirely confident she’d reel them in.

“I thought we weren’t going to quite get there because she got the gap and I thought she’s just going to run second — but the last bit she really let rip. It was a very good finish and thank you to Dynamic Syndications for sending her across to me, they made me look good again.”

Zac Lloyd was equally complimentary post-race, noting how tough it had been throughout the day to make up ground, particularly carrying weight. Yet SPACEBALLS was beautifully relaxed, travelled kindly, and once she built through her gears, she was dominant through the line.



It was a textbook second-up performance. She had been excellent first-up at Kensington when finishing fifth without much luck, and history shows she improves with that run under her belt. True to pattern, she bounced.

By Dundeel from Ludicrous Mode, the 4YO bay mare was an $80,000 Magic Millions Yearling purchase by Dynamic Syndications / Dean Watt Bloodstock and is now building an enviable record of 11 starts for 2 wins, 2 seconds and 2 thirds, with prizemoney including bonuses of $115,650. She continues to prove herself as a tough, genuine mare with a dynamic late turn of foot when produced at the right moment.



Most importantly, Congratulations to her outstanding ownership team: Dynamic Syndications Racing, Monaro Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Mr W C Bradnam, Mr G J Cooper, Duchess Deel, Mr W G Hewitt, Mr MJ Millner, Mr S R Freeman, Mr M Bellifemini, Mrs J Webber and Kiwi Hunter.



These are the wins that make ownership special the patience, the planning, the placement, and then the thrill when it all comes together in the final strides.