Sweet Victory for Dynamic CHOCOLATIER at Hawkesbury

21 Feb 19

Congratulations to the Dynamic Team of Owners that race emerging stayer CHOCOLATIER (4yo g Redoute’s Choice x La Praline) on the soft win by their Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained galloper, matched with a terrific ride by Tim Clark.

Facing the starter for only his 6th start, he has taken his record to 2 wins, 2 thirds, 1 fourth, 1 fifth and claimed his second BOBS Bonus when winning Race 7 the Hawkesbury Race Club Bioworma Benchmark 64, 1800m as top weight carrying 59.5kgs.

For winning this assignment CHOCOLATIER picked up $22,375 in earnings with a $16,750 winner’s cheque plus a $5,625 BOBS EXTRA Bonus.

The team at Tulloch Lodge had been wanting to put blinkers on the horse for some time but a combination of a lack of racecraft and unsuitable shorter trips had prevented their application until this event and as anticipated, CHOCOLATIER grew another leg and was far too good for his peers at this grade. Despite being stirred up a little in the parade ring prior to heading out onto the track, the blinkers switched CHOCOLATIER on mentally.

Third up into this race, having run over a short 1350m first up and then still soft second up at a mile carrying 60.0kgs in a muddling tempo event, for his third up assignment the 1800m at Hawkesbury or a 1900m at Gosford two days later was always going to see our horse far better suited.

Gai and Adrian were confident the horse could win in either race but after acceptances for Hawkesbury and having the luxury of our regular rider Tim Clark available on Thursday and then, having the opportunity to review the nominations for the Gosford event on the Saturday, the Hawkesbury race looked an ideal assignment.

The Gai Waterhouse bone and muscle was on display here, as CHOCOLATIER was just far too strong and enjoyed the extra ground. Such was the ease of his work, Tim Clark had the luxury of easing down in the run to the post and the horse pricked his ears as he crossed the line 2.78 lengths clear of the field.

Despite drawing 10 of 10, it’s a long 800m run down the back straight at Hawkesbury before the field hits the first turn. The plan was to always be positive from the jump but with blinkers on the first time, connections were concerned he may over-race early and instructions to Tim were to help the horse settle and if something pushed up underneath us, that would be perfect and we could settle at its girth and allow CHOCOLATIER to relax into a rhythm.

Tim’s ride was straight out of a text book and after 400m, Tim saw Kathy O’Hara push up on her mount Happy Every Day to hold the fence and our horse just rolled over to take the sit at its girth.

CHOCOLATIER wanted to travel a bit quicker for about 30 - 50 metres when the tempo slackened but Tim got the horse to relax and the race was over some 1200m from home. Getting away with some easy sectionals mid race, as they passed the 600m Tim gave CHOCOLATIER some rein and the horse was full of running.

Holding him back until they balanced into the straight, Tim let the brakes off and CHOCOLATIER found another gear, dashing 2 lengths in front and in no danger from those chasing.

Over the final 100m the gap was widening yet CHOCOLATIER was only running for fun without any pressure and was enjoying his work.
Tim was delighted when he returned to scale to report to stable rep Neil Pane and Adam Watt from Dynamic that the blinkers made all the difference.

Fitter, up in trip and with the blinkers to keep the horse focused, Tim told connections that the horse is far better than this (provincial) grade and there are some nice races to pick off as he goes through his grades in town.

He still has natural improvement with both racecraft and fitness and is showing all the signs he will relish 2000m or further, so it’s a nice position to be in with this progressive individual.

Congratulations to CHOCOLATIER’S terrific team of loyal owners:

Dynamic Syndications Racing Synd, Mr V Barbaro, Mr S Bozanich, Mr S K Chipperfield, Mr K Mattingly, Mr N B Patterson, Mr J S Perks, Mr D B Pinder, Mr J H Shields, Mr K B Skelton, Mr R J Smith, Mr B R Watkins, Mr G Tew, Mr M A Witkowski, Mr P J Pollard, Molesworth Synd, Mr D A Poletto and Mrs Yesberg.

Onwards and Upwards !

This was Dynamic Syndications 570th Race Win and our 28th Race Win for this season.