Dynamic Syndications promising middle distance galloper PLATAMONE CASTLE (Lonhro / Al Rosolini) has taken the next step in his racing progression when he trounced his opponents to win Race 6 at Moonee Valley on Saturday night 31/12. The Aquanas Food Hcp a Benchmark 82 1600m event and he was piloted by his regular rider Dale Smith who rode the horse a treat to score by 1 length x 1.75 length picking up $31,363 to the winner.
What a fantastic way to sign off in 2011.
PLATAMONE CASTLE recorded our 73rd win for the 2011 Calendar Year and our 20th City Win (27%). He also recorded our 32nd win for the current 2011-12 Racing Season and our 264th win under our Dynamic Syndications Banner
MICK PRICE take a bow. A great job done by a champion bloke ! This horse won like he has potential to be a star first up from a spell in a tough race and on Saturday night under the lights at the Moonee Valley New Year's Eve meeting, Platamone Castle proved the form line was strong by coming from the rear early to win at 1600m second up and up in grade in a tough race where every horse had a chance. That's a big effort for any horse to win second up when up in class and up in distance, especially one that is still heavy in condition.
Clever tactics employed by trainer and rider also assisted. Because he was second up at 1600m Mick told TVN personality Jason Richardson that Platamone Castle was soft in condition so the plan was to be kind early and allow the horse to balance towards the rear but watching out for wherever number 5 Red Head Rage was in the field and to get onto its back and follow it as the team felt that horse would take us into the race from the 700m.
This worked out partly and Platamone Castle got back in the field and well out of a upfront speed dual that had the field spread out down the back straight. As Red Head Rage started to improve Platamone Castle started to improve with it but Dale Smith quickly summed up the other horse was struggling so instead of being caught out, he moved wider to the outside running line, down the side of the track as they passed by the school.
Dale had a lap full of horse and approaching the turn hooked out wider still giving Platamone Castle plenty of galloping room. The horse went bang and cruised up to the leaders and as they entered into the short straight, Dale gave Platamone Castle more rein and the horse kicked and dashed a length clear and had the race safely in his keeping. It was a Top Ride by Dale Smith who has a wonderful affinity with Platamone Castle.
Platamone Castle was originally trained at Randwick but after his first 5 starts, despite 3 seconds and a third, was still a maiden. Resuming from a spell first up at Hawkesbury he was badly injured and had 12 months off the scene.
At the suggestion of Dean Watt to the owners, the horse was sent to quality horseman Mick Price. Platamone Castle had 12 months before injured a suspensory in his off fore and it was thought the only way he can handle racing would be to send him to Melbourne to race in the opposite direction putting less stress on the injured area.
It has turned out to be a winning move.
At his first preparation for Mick he had 6 runs. He ran second with Craig Newitt on board at Seymour before winning his second start with Craig Newitt in the saddle at Cranbourne. He then won his next 2 starts in the provincial / country regions for Dale Smith at Wangaratta and Tatura before coming to Moonee Valley to be ridden again by Craig Newitt. He finished fifth on that day and then we gave him one more run when fifth again with Craig Newitt in the saddle at Geelong.
After a spell he resumed by winning impressively at Taralgon over 1430m.
A trend was developing. Craig had ridden him on 4 occasions 1 win 1 second 2 fifths. Dale Smith had ridden him 3 starts 3 wins. So we requested to Mick that we leave Dale aboard at Moonee Valley and Mick Price was accommodating to our request. As history now shows, Dale rode the perfect race and Platamone Castle defied conventional thinking and won again.
Now PLATAMONE CASTLE has a Career record of:
13 starts : 5 wins, 3 seconds 2 thirds, 1 fourth, 2 fifths and $85,013
He is a marvelously honest horse and has built an incredible harmony with jockey Dale Smith of 4 starts = 4 wins.
For Mick Price Platamone Castle has started 8 times: 5 wins, 1 second, 2 fifths.
Where opportunities present themselves Dale will get first look at future rides on Platamone Castle.
However we acknowledge it's a big team effort and we thank all the staff at Mick's Stables for their work and attention to detail turning this fella from a maiden to a Saturday Class city horse.
His last 2 starts have given every thought that at this time of year he is a bit above average and has a few more wins available to him, especially at 2000m. He rose 4 rating points for the win and is now a benchmark 78 which should make it a little easier to get into better city standard races.
Congratulations to the Team that Race PLATAMONE CASTLE
Dynamic Syndications Platamone Castle Syndicate (D Watt) , D C I Syndicate, Mr S Mccrea, Mr L Armfield, Mrs L V Finnigan, Ms L C Pearson, Mr G P Adler, Mrs L R Adler, Mr C S Duley, Koss Syndicate