Two Wins From Two Starts for Our Dynamic 3yo Colt LUGH

24 Sep 23

Dynamic Syndications Ciaron Maher Racing trained 3yo colt LUGH (Snitzel x Marcia Proba) recorded his second win from two career starts when claiming victory over 1500m at Goulburn on Friday afternoon.

It was a vital race for his career giving him necessary foundation ahead of a potential crack at his next start in the Gloaming Stakes Gr2 SW 3YOs 1800m on Everest Day.

Bred to stick out a strong middle-distance trip, the colt had given his mentors every indication that he wants 2000m and sprint trips would be too sharp. However, his class shone through 3 weeks earlier on debut at Kembla Grange when he fought like a caged tiger to claim victory over 1200m in good time.

LUGH winning on debut at Kembla

It was only a few years ago Team Dynamic won the Gloaming Stakes with LOVE TAP, and we can see a lot of similarities in LUGH, to consider following a similar pathway to determine if LUGH had the racetrack smarts to develop into a similar candidate.

LOVE TAP won first up for his preparation over 1200m as did LUGH.

LOVE TAP winning the same Class 2 1500m race

Then second up we took LOVE TAP to a Class 2 1500m at Goulburn (this same race that LUGH won on Friday).

LOVE TAP won easily in fast time of 1:28.18 thanks to the assistance of a strong tail wind.

LUGH won this same programmed race following the same path in 1:28.91 and whilst 0.78 slower, there was no wind assistance.

In fact, LUGH won a much stronger race on paper than the race in which LOVE TAP claimed victory.

The Gloaming is an awkward race as there is no formal pathway.

The racing calendar isn’t designed for it with lead-in races traditionally only at 1400m then asking the 3yo’s to step out to 1800m without a designated foundation pathway through 1600m. Many 3yo’s arrive at the Gloaming with connections hoping they can run that far early in the Spring, without any true understanding of capabilities. That’s why the 1500m is vital. It only asks the horse to run 300m extra in the Gloaming which is far kinder on the horse.

So after the debut win, and believing LUGH wants a trip, we tossed up a lot of ideas of which way we would advance.

Logically, the progressive step is to a Class 1 at 1400m.

However they don’t exist for 3yo’s at present so we would have to take on the older horses.

At this time of year 3yo’s are at such a physical disadvantage against the older horses.

At standard Weight For Age in September, 3yo’s should get 7.5kgs (5.0 lengths) off a 4yo. Yet under handicapping, 3yo’s only get a 1.5kg weight relief. The difference of the weights is 6.0kgs and that equates to 4 lengths. So a 3yo is 4 lengths worse off against a 4yo before you add in the class factors plus racecraft experience and education.

In other words (apart from maiden races) unless they are very ordinary older opponents, a 3yo that is taking on older horses, has to be displaying exceptional class levels to take on older horses and beat them based on physical and mental disadvantages.

Also, the handicapper didn’t miss his debut win making him a Metro 59 & Country Benchmark 62.

That caused more grief as the the Class 1 races we identified as possibilities he would now have to carry far too much weight. We also nominated LUGH for a 1400m Bm64 at Flemington on Sunday, but the Victorian handicapper whacked him harshly making him a 62 rather than a 59 he is in NSW that’s an extra 1.5kgs. That’s unfair so we didn’t go to south.

So, to live the dream of a possible run in the Gloaming, we followed our proven formula with LUGH.

LUGH had been given the added disadvantage of 13 of 14 before scratchings. Whilst blessed with natural speed, it's still a tough ask to spend that petrol to get across.

Tactically we wanted to be forward, however we anticipated that there would be a fair bit of early toe in this race. The horse drawn outside us named Hobbsy wanting to lead, and a couple drawn under us with the same intention.

So, our instructions to our pilot Andrew Adkins were to be positive and see how it unfolds after a furlong. We can lead or if something goes crazy, take a trail but whatever happens and be in the first four and in a position to strike at the top of the straight.

It worked out perfectly but not before a few mid-race issues.

As the gates clanged back, LUGH hit the ground running and was a in front, except as anticipated, it was a fast run first 300m.

Then the inexperienced apprentice on the third favourite The Carpet Bagger decided she would take-off and went too quick sectionally, whilst Mycah Lyon pushed up to hold the fence underneath it, keeping us three wide and stopping us from crossing over.

Andrew noted this and allowed that apprentice to keep going and then crossed over to find the perfect trail with the horse who had drawn outside us coming over at the same time to sit at our girth 3 deep.

Turning out of the back straight at the 900m, the field had established their positions. The Carpet Bagger (53.0kgs) was a 2-length leader over LUGH, with Mycah Lyon third the fence with Hobbsy in fourth whilst eventual runner-up Amigos No More was mid-field on the fence saving petrol.

Pressure was applied from the 600m as the field started to compact. On the point of the turn, Andrew moved up to eyeball the leader, whilst the gap opened like Sydney Heads for runner-up Amigos No More as he worked away from the fence into the running line.

As the field began to sprint, LUGH hit the front by a length over The Carpet Bagger with Amigos No More a length away.

Passing the 200m LUGH was showing his 3yo maturity inexperience. Andrew would report post-race that once he hit the front, LUGH started to stargaze and the colt thought he had the race won and turned-off. Then he saw the infield screen and shifted out 2 horses and Andrew had to stop and straighten him up. Whilst this was happening, Amigos No More had moved up to contest the lead.

As soon as that happened, LUGH concentrated and went again and dominated the final 100m to such an extent that Andrew was able to coast to the post the final 50m.

Lugh - Winner 22.9.23 from Dynamic Syndications on Vimeo.

LUGH (57.0kgs) ($3.10 Fav) won race 8 the Pure Image Signs and Designs Class 2 Handicap and recorded a 0.32 length win over Amigos No More (56.5kgs) with Mycah Lyon (56.5kgs) in third place 1.76 lengths away.

Congratulations to his terrific team of Dynamic Owners that race LUGH: Dynamic Syndications Racing, Mr D A Poletto, Mr A Cranes, Mr S B Troughton, Mrs P Smith, Mr C Raymond, Mr E Jomaa, Miskalli, Mrs T E Parish, Mr A M Parish, C J R Racing, Mr S R Freeman, Mr S W Clinton-Morgan, Mr J N Allen

LUGH is all smiles are his win

LUGH was Dynamic Syndications 11th Race Win (6 trained by Ciaron Maher Racing) for the new Racing Season. It was also our 839th Race Win overall.

There is no doubt that LUGH will strip much fitter from this event and has added vital race experience to his resume.

One thing we have no doubt about is LUGH is a fighter. He fought like a caged lion on debut and followed that up with the same effort over the 1500m.

We will see how he pulls up over the next few days before deciding his forward programme and if we head to the Gloaming or another option.

One thing is certain, whatever he does now, he will be lengths better again in the autumn as he fills into his frame, and banks the racecraft experience, and strengthens up further.

Onwards and Upwards - Forever Forward !