Dynamic Galloper Boulevard Baron in awesome first up Win

Newcastle trainer Darren Smith and Dynamic Syndication have combined for yet another memorable victory on Sunday afternoon when Boulevard Baron stormed home from last position at the 600m, some 8 lengths from the leaders in a field of 10 runners, to record the fastest last 600m sectional of the meeting and score a spectacular win in race 5 the Wamberal Beach Constructions Benchmark 60 Handicap over 1100m.

Ridden by promising young apprentice Shaun Guymer (2.0 kgs), he rode a clever, thinking race and kept his nerve when things were looking awkward for him mid race.

Not known for having much gate speed, Boulevard Baron jumped away well but was struggling to stay in contact with the hectic early speed being set up front.  Shaun allowed our horse to come back under him which as a result, saw Boulevard Baron get back to last in the field from the 800 to the 600m. At the 600m, Shaun had to get busy on our horse and Boulevard Baron started to respond, picking up the bit and traveling well into the turn where he hooked to the outside of the runners infront of him and set sail towards the centre of the track. He sizzled home under 58.5kgs (after the claim), spotting the field both weight and a huge head start but was far too strong to go on and score by a 0.3 x 1.5 in 1:04.87 coming home in 35.04. Not an easy horse to ride at the best of times and with plenty of tricks to catch out an experience rider let alone an apprentice, Shaun dominated the horse and his horsemanship helped provide the win.

Darren Smith has again taken another horse from a city stable that was unsound due to injury but with patience and quality horsemanship, has polished the horse back into a competitive racing prospect. Boulevard Baron has always shown ability however he has been constantly plagued by injury, particularly with his feet.

Also the use of a strategic gear change by using a shadow roll on the horse to compensate against a high head carriage also worked as hoped. The horse was looking a treat for his first up run. This was his 5th first up effort in his career but was his first win when starting off a preparation.

BOULEVARD BARON (Savabeel / About Town by Danehill) was a $55,000 yearling purchased from Cambridge Stud at the NZ Bloodstock Sales in 2008.

He has now raced 17 starts: 4 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds.