Trainer MICK PRICE has always held an opinion that
TELEPLAY was well above average based upon trackwork, jump outs and trials, so when
MICK speaks of the horse going well enough that no matter what the opposition will offer, he still expects
TELEPLAY will win, then we listen intently.
What wasn’t on the agenda was that the track would receive a drenching as a violent thunder storm locked itself over the track and with torrential rain and savage lightening about, the races would be delayed and the track would down grade from a Slow 5 to a Heavy 8 in the 30 minutes prior to the race.
It’s a hard slog through the mud but especially when a filly is on debut and has shown a dislike for soft ground on the training tracks.
Then add in the fact that the opposition was race experienced and race hardened and several had encouraging form in the going.
That made the assignment more difficult. Then we also knew that we were looking for a trip out at 1400m to 1600m and this was just a splash and dash over 1100m.
Still, Mick Price’s faith would not be diminished and ….. he was right again !
TELEPLAY ridden by Jake Noonan won the North Central Review 3YO Maiden Plate at Kilmore Racecourse on November 26, 2017
TELEPLAY 3yo F (Written Tycoon x Special Episode) had too much class for her opponents and did enough on debut to hold out MAWZOONA (Fastnet Rock) by a Head and KARMOONARRON x 3/4 length.
Having jumped evenly with the field, Jake Noonan allowed Teleplay to drift back to the tail as the field raced in three pairs. Copping enormous backwash from the heavy rain and mud being thrown in her face for the first time,
TELEPLAY didn’t let the conditions phase her.
Jake at the 600m decided that Teleplay had enough of getting the kickback and allowed Teleplay to stride up 3 deep toward the leaders. Between the 500m and the 250m the track is notorious for being a bog and in this race, it was exactly that.
At the 200m Teleplay loomed into the race but then seemed to labour before being challenged by the runner-up who was swooping down the outside.
As soon as the runner-up drew alongside Teleplay our filly picked up the bit again and pulled away on the line.
It was a marvellous job by MICK PRICE and his Team to have the filly strong enough on debut to win under such difficult conditions and it was a patient, well-judged ride by Jake Noonan to keep the filly balanced in the going and drive to the line.
Jake was full of praise for TELEPLAY telling connections that the filly got there on class. Despite being uncomfortable, she attacked the line and he declared she will win better races than this event.
Jake added that the filly got to the front at the 200m and turned off as if going to sleep thinking that she had hit the front it was all over. However Jake said he shook her up and she rallied again and the win was well deserved and the opposition was never going to beat her.
Such was the wrap on TELEPAY from the first time Mick Price put a saddle on her as a 2yo that, on his recommendation, we went to the yearling sales at the Magic Millions in January and purchased her 1/2 sister by PIERRO.
That filly is SOLD OUT and was wrapped up in quick time.
TELEPLAY is a beautifully bred filly. She is from SPECIAL EPISODE - a winning daughter of REDOUTE’S CHOICE. SPECIAL EPISODE is a 3/4 Sister to Gr1 Winner FIRST SEAL and Gr2 Winner BOOK OF KELLS.
SPECIAL EPISODE has produced 4 winners including Stakes Placed ASTRO FLAME.
TELEPLAY is the grand-daughter of EPISODE – a Dual Gr1 OAKS Winner and 2nd in an OAKS.
Importantly we can’t lose sight of the fact that
MICK PRICE “trained the card at Kilmore on Sunday”
(However ….. hahaha….. we don’t let the fact that the races were abandoned after Race 1 rain on Mick’s big day)
The balance of the card on Kilmore Cup Day was cut short after race one due to an unsafe track caused by the downpour of rain prior to race one which was followed by further heavy rain after our race. Lightning in the area sparked an indefinite delay before Racing Victoria stewards declared the track was unsafe for racing.
Congratulations goes to the top team of owners that race TELEPLAY: Dynamic Syndications Racing (MGR: D W WATT), Mrs B J Zions, R Bay, T J Gore, N R Evans, P J Pollard, Ms J Mariani, G Georgiou, W J Noonan, D T Warburton, S J Brereton, G B Medved, R A Elliott, C J R Racing (MGR: C N DEEB), Matrix Racing (MGR: M CRISMALE), S Najda, D W Watt & M A Wallace
The win by TELEPLAY was Dynamic Syndications 20th Race Win for the 2017-18 Season.
She also recorded our 507th Race Win and
TELEPLAY became Dynamic Syndications 175th Individual Winner from 190 Individual Runners = 92.1%