The first time since arriving in Australia we have been able to get our
German bred import FIRST FOOTMAN (Cacique (IRE) / Flames to Dust (GER)) out to a suitable distance in which he had performed in the UK, and our tough gelding took no prisoners when
leading all the way to win Race 2 at Goulburn on Friday afternoon, the Kilpatrick Holdings BM58 Handicap over the testing 2140m.
FIRST FOOTMAN winning his Second Australian race & Casey Waddell wins her First Australian Race
Allotted the steadier of 63.0kgs by the handicapper for this event, we asked young Kiwi apprentice rider
Casey Waddell (3.0kgs) a newcomer to Australian shores, and apprenticed to trainer Chris Waller, to steer the hulking frame of
FIRST FOOTMAN around Goulburn under 60.0kgs after the young lady’s allowance.
Drawing barrier 11, Casey’s job was made a little easier by the fact that our horse likes to roll along on pace, so knowing that,
trainer Richard Freedman instigated a gear change taking the blinkers off and applying winkers so the horse had more vision and hopefully wouldn’t get tugging mid-race.
It was an easy strategy on paper, go to the front and improve your position to which Casey fulfilled to perfection.
However,
FIRST FOOTMAN made Casey’s ride far more difficult than it needed to be.
As the gates clanged back, Casey maneuvered our horse away cleanly and within a few bounds she had him a length in front of his peers.
Casey steered him across the face of the field and onto the fence as they passed the winning post the first time with 2000m still in front of them.
A free striding horse,
First Footman got into his rhythm, but it was a strong tempo gallop, as the horse and rider were peeling off an average 12.2 second splits per furlong.
The fast tempo had his peers gasping as the field thundered down the back straight, with
First Footman 5 lengths in advance of the closest of those chasing him, spreading the field out over more than 20 lengths.
Casey tried valiantly to get
First Footman to settle and finally at the 800m mark, he consented and respond to Casey’s demand to yield. However, that didn’t quite go to plan because he went from a strong gallop to almost a canter for the next furlong and those chasing moved up quickly to eyeball
First Footman at the 600m post.
However,
First Footman was only joking with his peers, but young Casey wouldn’t have seen the funny side of that, as the horse was yielding ground so quickly. As soon as Casey reapplied pressure,
First Footman responded strongly, picking up the bit and rolling a length clear of his peers as the field turned for home.
Incredibly at the 650m mark, he looked a beaten horse but now full of running again, he put a gap of a length and a half over the eventual runner-up Seporto.
With 150m to run, he was a length clear but all the hard work he had done in the run was taking its toll.
Casey showed strength and maturity well beyond what was expected from a 3.0kg apprentice and she got into a rhythm to ride
First Footman aggressively to the post.
This effort by Casey was acknowledged by our horse and he gave his all to Casey’s efforts, holding off the field for a terrific win.
See for yourself how FIRST FOOTMAN delivered apprentice Casey Waddell her first Australian Race Win:
First Footman from Dynamic Syndications on Vimeo.
FIRST FOOTMAN has taken his overall career record to: 15 starts: 2 Wins, 7 Seconds and $51,063.
In Australia, he has raced 6 occasions: 2 Wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds, 1 fourth.
He has won at 1600m and 2140m.
Now that's a winning smile !
A BIG Congratulations to young lady CASEY WADDELL on her first Australian Winner.
Congratulations to our TOP TEAM of loyal DYNAMIC SYNDICATIONS Owners who race our UK import FIRST FOOTMAN: Dynamic Syndications Racing, Matrix Racing, Tunku Shahabuddin, Mr JV Beresford, Ms P L Leeper, Mr S Najda, Mr R J Gall, Mr G Tew, Mr R J Herbert, Miss W K Bauer, Mr K B Rice, Mr B E Johnson, Mr T Cottam, C J R Racing
FOOTMAN (GER) in the UK before coming to Australia
This WIN became our 21st Winner trained for us by RICHARD FREEDMAN – FREEDMAN BROTHERS.
It was Dynamic Syndications 54th Race Win for this 2019-20 Racing Season.
The victory recorded the 651st time our horses have been in the Winners Circle.
Well done to all concerned.