A bold pre-race plan allowed Dream Master to overcome an outside draw and win his first race in style at Ballina on Friday. Dream Master drew gate 13 in the 14-strong field and after being beaten into second from gate 10 at his previous start, there were doubt about his chances at Ballina. But a gear and riding change proved the deciding factor. “We decided to run at Ballina because it was his last chance to earn a BOBS bonus and Toby Edmonds decided to put blinkers on and ride positively,” said Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grant Morgan. “The blinkers certainly had him a lot more focused before the race and when he jumped cleanly and rider Jeff Lloyd was able to find the fence the race was as good as over. “He won by six lengths in the end so it was good to get the money off the back and claim that maiden win. He was having his fifth start since we brought him up from Chris Waller’s Sydney stable and it’s fair to say he hasn’t had a lot of luck,” said Grant Morgan. Bought by Ontrack from Emirate Parks draft at the 2015 Inglis Classic Sale for $60,000, Dream Master is by Dream Ahead from the Exceed and Excel mare Excellent Lady. The purchase proved astute because not long after the sale, Excellent Lady’s first foal started racing and named Petits Filou, she went on to win her first four races, including the Group 3 Quezette Stakes at Flemington. “She ended up winning five of her 10 starts and then sold in May at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale for $1.15 million. “Dream Master might not match the levels reached by his half-sister, but he comes from a strong line and he’s out of a half-sister to Graeme Rogerson’s very good mare La Bella Dama, winner of seven including the Group One McKinnon Stakes,” said Grant Morgan. Trainer Toby Edmonds admitted to a sense of relief after Dream Master’s win. “IT’s fair to say he hasn’t had a lot of luck but when they draw that wide over 1200 metres it is never guaranteed that you are going to get across the field. “Jeff Lloyd was positive and that determination paid off as he got over relatively easily and once that happened the race was in safe keeping. “Dream Master is a big, strong gelding and now that he’s got that bit of confidence that a win can produce we hope he can add to his winning tally. He’s got a great attitude and does well in the stable so hopefully there’s more in store for him,” said Toby Edmonds. Rider Jeff Lloyd had ridden Dream Master when second at the Gold Coast at his previous start and he was keen on being positive at Ballina. “He was unlucky at the Gold Coast because the eventual winner kicked up and kept us three wide just when it looked like he was going to get into a nice spot one off the fence. “The blinkers certainly sparked him up a lot and he was very quick out of the gates. As soon as he found the fence he relaxed nicely and I was very confident from that point. “He found the line in strong fashion and I think there’s more in store for him,” said Jeff Lloyd. Congratulations to our owners: Ontrack Thoroughbred No 1 Syndicate, Lang Brothers Racing, Mark Snowden, Dave Moretti, Mark Ostermeyer, Gordon Campbell, Leah Gavranich, Luke Covey, B and L Racing, Louise Mancinelli, Wayne and Paddi Muller, Alan Satchell, Beau River Racing, Greg Bowers, Stefan Marinkovic, Lisa Saxton, Ken Stocks, Ryan Lawlor. Ontrack Thoroughbreds talented race mare Cruising Speed earned valuable black type form with a close second in the listed $100,000 Tattersalls Mile at Doomben on Saturday.
Cruising Speed was grabbed in the last couple of bounds by Crack Me Up after being given a perfect run by Bridget Grylls who was having her first ride on the Savabeel mare. Ontrack Managing Director Grant Morgan said while it would have been nice to win, the black type placing was a great result for the ownership group in Cruising Speed. “She is an extremely well-bred mare being a daughter of Savabeel and directly descended from champion race mare Emancipation and black type form is vital for mares of her pedigree. “There’s already been some interest in Cruising Speed from major Australian studs and having black type simply enhances her residual value once the end of her racing career arrives.” Cruising Speed had two previous runs in listed races, but unfortunately both these were on the ill-fated Eagle Farm track. She ran fourth and seventh on an unsuitable track for both runs. Meanwhile, Ontrack’s star filly Savanna Amour is in Victoria in preparation for a return to racing this Saturday in the $200,000 Bletchingly Stakes at Caufield. “Savanna Amour flew to Melbourne in the early hours of Friday morning and she has settled in nicely at Pat Carey’s Mornington stables. “The Bletchingly is the first of three races we have pencilled in for Savanna Amour with her grand final being the $1 million Group One Memsie Stakes at Caufield on September 2. “She won the Group 2 Angus Armanasco at Caufield in the autumn and will need to go to a new level in this preparation but by the look of her, she has improved both physically and mentally so we are looking forward to a good campaign in the weeks ahead,” said Grant Morgan. Ben Melham, who rode Savanna Amour to a third placing behind Fuhryk In the Group 3 Kev Hayes Stakes in March, will ride her this Saturday. Ontrack Thoroughbred’s bi-annual tour to Royal Ascot proved a memorable event for participants.
The 2017 Royal Ascot Tour was Ontrack’s third to the world’s most famous racing event and 25 Ontrack clients joined hosts Grant and Jenny Morgan and Jennie Bartels. “It was a spectacular tour and we were blessed with fantastic weather and a great bunch who shared two memorable weeks,” said Ontrack Managing Director Grant Morgan. The tour started with a week in Newmarket, the heart of the English horse racing and breeding, and included stable and stud visits. “We were privileged to spend time at Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud and catch up with our very special horse Brazen Beau who is coming to the end of his second season in the UK before heading back to an Australian spring. “The party also toured Juddmonte Farm’s Banstead Manor in Newmarket where champion racehorse Frankel is now blazing a trail as a stallion. It is an amazing property and the chance to inspect Frankel proved extremely popular with the tour. “We were also hosted by trainer Luca Cumani at his Newmarket stables and our guests really enjoyed having the opportunity to see close up how one of the leading trainers in the UK operates,” said Grant Morgan. Three days of Royal Ascot’s five-day racing carnival were included in the tour and all days were blessed with incredible weather. “The final day at Ascot saw the group hosted at the Trackside Restaurant in the Royal Enclosure and that mean top and tails for the gents and the finest for the ladies. It is truly an amazing experience to spend the day in the Royal Enclosure and it always proves an eye opener for first timers. “The tour members had a great time and Ontrack’s policy and limiting numbers meant those on the trip are able to get to know their all of their fellow travellers and it also allows everyone the chance to get up close and personal with many great horses, whilst also gaining the opportunity to personally spend time with leading breeders, stud managers and the people that work with the horses. “It really was a great tour, but the real judges of the trip are always the guests,” said Grant Morgan. “It was an absolutely amazing tour with fabulous company and first class all the way. Thanks to our hosts Grant and Jenny Morgan and Jennie Bartels for a fantastic time.” – Glenda Newick “Wonderful experience.” Jeanette Donaldson Impregnable maintained his perfect form since a move to Queensland when he scored a tough win at Ballina today. The son of I Am Invincible carried 60 kilograms to a narrow, but decisive win, to take his record to three wins from three starts for Gold Coast trainer Toby Edmonds. Impregnable was previously prepared at Caufield by Mick Price and had six starts in Victoria for five minor placings. “Mick recommended we move him to Queensland as he felt the horse might struggle in city company in Melbourne and that’s proved to be a great call,” said Ontrack Managing Director Grant Morgan. “Ontrack’s major aim is to race horses capable of winning in city races and we encourage all our trainers to advise us if they believe a horse will struggle to win city races in their care. “It’s about doing the right thing by the horse and our owners, and Impregnable’s form is a perfect example of finding the best place for a horse. He can aim up to a city race now that he’s found form and we are confident there’s better wins in store for the horse,” said Grant Morgan. Rider Robbie Fradd has now won two on Impregnable and he has no doubts that the horse can win in metropolitan company. “He is a smart sprinter. The ground today was probably a little bit soft for him, but he was very brave and when I eased him around the leader’s heels and asked him to chase he gave me everything. “It was a good win under 60 kilos and he was very, very tough and fought right to the line.” Trainer Toby Edmonds said Impregnable has done a great job since heading north and he will now give the horse a few easy days before mapping out a plan. “He has done a super job since coming north so will have a few easy days before we decide what to do with him. “The option is to look at a Class 3 or a no metropolitan win race on a Saturday in Brisbane or keep poking around the northern rivers area of New South Wales. “He’s a handy little sprinter so we will make sure we do the right thing by the horse, but he has a good future,” said Toby Edmonds. Congratulations to our owners: Ontrack Thoroughbreds No 1 Syndicate, Steve Mauger, Matthew Maguire, Sansom Hue, Brett Grogan, David Worthley, Ken Stocks, Wayne McCubbin, Jenny Edington, Ryan Lawlor, Peter Condon, Lisa Saxton Dan Paton, Ricky Kim, Garry Batchelder, Philomena Syndicate. Ontrack Thoroughbreds speedy galloper Impregnable scored a studding win at Grafton yesterday. After bungling the start, the son of I Am Invincible showed a devastating turn of foot to put himself in a winning position and then charge home for a narrow, but decisive victory in fast time. The win proved the worth of moving Impregnable north after starting his career in Victoria. Impregnable started out with Mick Price at Caufield and was placed in five of six starts in Victoria. Mick Price believed the horse would be been better suited to racing in Queensland, so the gelding was transferred to Gold Coast trainer Toby Edmonds. He won his debut from the new stable with a maiden win at Grafton in April and his latest Grafton win came in his second race from his new quarters. Impregnable started a red hot favourite, but gave his supporters some anxious moments when he jumped in the air at the start and ended up a clear last. “To be honest, I thought he had blown his chances at the start. Fortunately Robbie Fradd showed why he’s a great jockey when he allowed him to pick up ground along the inside and then found the way out on the turn and the horse was good enough to do the rest. “It was a great effort and you would think he is capable of making further progress through the grades on the strength of that win. He is a gross little horse and I am confident that he will be even better with that race so we will look for another similar race to take advantage of the BOBS bonus scheme while he’s still three,” said Toby Edmonds. Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grant Morgan selected Impregnable from the 2015 Inglis Classic Sale paying $40,000 for the colt. It was at the same venue that he bought Ontrack’s champion sprinter Brazen Beau from the first crop of I Am Invincible. Impregnable has now raced eight times for two wins and five minor placings and earnings of $56,180. “Impregnable was a nice colt as a yearling and being out of a strong European family I thought the brilliance of I Am Invincible would prove to be a nice cross. He hasn’t grown a terrific amount in height but he is a very strong, chunky horse and is obviously suited to sprint distances with his great turn of foot. “Missing the start at Grafton may have been a blessing in disguise as it showed that he has a devastating turn of foot if he gets cover early so that might prove to be the best way to ride him. “Robbie Fradd showed his class when he didn’t panic after the hiccup at the start and he allowed the horse to work his way into a midfield possie and then finding the way clear early in the run home. The time of 57.02 was great but the most impressive thing was they ran the last 600 in 33.70 and Impregnable came midfield at the 600 so his closing sectionals must have been exceptional. “There’s plenty of opportunity around the northern rivers of New South Wales for a horse like him and Ontrack is confident Toby Edmonds and his team will find another suitable race in that neck of the woods for him,” said Grant Morgan. Congratulations to our owners: Ontrack Thoroughbreds No 1 Syndicate, Steve Mauger, Matthew Maguire, Sansom Hue, Brett Grogan, David Worthley, Ken Stocks, Wayne McCubbin, Jenny Edington, Ryan Lawlor, Peter Condon, Lisa Saxton Dan Paton, Ricky Kim, Garry Batchelder, Philomena Syndicate. |
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