Race 2 at Port Macquarie on New Years Day was run at 2:30pm. A simple benchmark 67, 2000m event. Only hours before the Mick Price trained PLATAMONE CASTLE (Lonhro/ Al Rosolini) had a Dynamic win at Moonee Valley which was a wonderful way to end what was a fabulous 2011 calendar year.
GALLANT SPUR started 2012 in wonderful fashion setting up what was to be a Huge Day for the Dynamic Syndications team.
We were over the moon when Gallant Spur demoralised his opponents when starting at $1.60 (4/7 on) he was far too good. Lumping 58.0kgs and spotting the placegetters 4.0kgs each.
Apart from the fact he was backing up from a brilliant win at Kembla Grange on Christmas Eve and was clearly a class above his rivals, was the fact he was helped along in his easy win by a superb ride by inform Newcastle apprentice Alison Threadwell.
Alison who no longer has a claim in the country areas as she has ridden to many winners, rode an outstanding race. After jumping away well, Alison restrained Gallant Spur to get into the one / one by the winning post the first time on the back of the second favourite. However as they went into the first turn, that horse in front of Alison began over racing ungenerously and caused Gallant Spur to check and clip heels of the horse in front. Alison summed up things in a stride and relaxed until the tempo dropped at the 1200m when she quickly went 3 deep away from the trouble and went straight to the front. Then dropped anchor and stacked the field up until the home turn before kicking away. Gallant Spur won with ease by 2 lengths without ever being threatened in the run home. This is the way a $1.60 favourite should win.
Gallant Spur has had a terrific campaign with trainer Darren Smith. After a first up run over an unsuitable short trip, second up he ran a terrific 3rd at Hawkesbury and then was winning at Tamworth over a more suitable 1600m. Then he ran a good second at Tamworth again at 1600m before an unlucky 3rd at Hawkesbury. Then up to 2000m, he lead all the way at Kembla for an easy win. On Sunday Darren felt the 2000m at Port Macquarie would be a soft run and keep his fitness up to the mark before he targets a race in town later in January.
Congratulations to the owners of Gallant Spur ! He is a promising stayer in the making.
He has now raced 20 starts: 4 wins, 2 seconds, 3 thirds and $54,300.
Well done to the owners:
S MCCREA , A G BRADLEY , D R SYKES , R W K CHOY , W HUNTER , A J HANNA , A P THACKERAY , MILKY TOWN(Synd) , JOHN and MARY(Synd) , LORD HOWE ISLAND(Synd).