Smart sprinter Dream Master scored at Doomben after overcoming some significant obstacles on the way to another victory. The son of Dream Ahead followed up an emphatic Gold Coast win when leading all the way at Doomben in smart time, but the day wasn’t without drama. Dream Master has a dislike of rain affected footing and the Doomben track on race morning was posted as a soft 7. Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grant Morgan admitted to having some concerns about running on rain affected footing. “He failed badly last preparation on wet ground and when the track was put up as a soft 7 I had some reservations, but trainer Toby Edmonds was pretty confident that the track would be upgraded significantly as the day went on and that was spot on. “With the track improving, we then had the drama of booked rider Ryan Maloney falling from a horse in an earlier race and being taken to hospital. “Fortunately we were able to get Ronnie Stewart to step in and he did the job perfectly. Ontrack’s had plenty of success with Ronnie and he got the job done. “It’s never ideal when these things happen but Ronnie is a talented horseman and he handled the job without a care. It was unfortunate for Ryan and we wish him all the best and a speedy recovery from some nasty injuries,” said Grant Morgan. A $60,000 buy by Ontrack from the Inglis Classic Sale, Dream Master has how won five races and placed five times from only 17 starts for earnings of $92,940. Trainer Toby Edmonds said once the track upgrade came he was confident of another big race from Dream Master. “He was dominant at the Gold Coast and there aren’t many horses with better gate speed so it made sense to ride him positively again. “The horse was pressured early so it was a great effort to stave off a wall of chasers in the run home. “We will give him an easy time and then sort out another race in the next few weeks, but he’s a very genuine horse and holds his form once he gets fit.” Congratulations to our owners: Ontrack Thoroughbred No 1 Syndicate, Mark Walker, 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. Champion sprinter Brazen Beau started his racing career in style and he’s launched his stallion role in the same vein. Ontrack Thoroughbreds’ Grant Morgan bought Brazen Beau for $70,000 from the first crop of I Am Invincible and the colt won first time to the races in spectacular style and went on to win two Group One sprints before being sold to the breeding giant Darley in a multi-million dollar deal. Brazen Beau’s first runners are on the track this season and the results have been mighty impressive. The horse has had eight runners for two city winners in Accession and Tassort, a stakes placed filly in First Dawn and city placed Crystal Beau. “Beau has certainly got off to a flying start and Accession’s win last Saturday in the $500,000 Inglis Nursery at Randwick was a hugely impressive effort,” said Grant Morgan. “The colt’s appearance and racing style reminded me a great deal of Brazen Beau and I would suggest he was not entirely comfortable on the soft ground at Randwick, so look to him improving when he gets to a firm surface. “Tassort’s win on debut was equally impressive and you would have to say Brazen Beau has the two leading colts heading towards the Golden Slipper. “Ontrack purchased four Brazen Beau yearlings at last summer’s yearling sales and all of them are shaping up nicely. “They all share Brazen Beau’s fantastic temperament and I’m looking forward to them stepping out on the track later in the season,” said Grant Morgan. Talented sprinter Impregnable worked his way through to open class with a career best win at Doomben. The tough son of I Am Invincible has won seven of 23 career starts but his Class 6 win at Doomben came in a very strong field that was probably the toughest opposition he’s ever faced. Ridden by promising young apprentice Jackson Murphy, Impregnable had a perfect run behind the speed and then fought off all the challenges after bullocking to the lead over the final 200 metres. “It was a really tough win and it was in keeping with all his recent form,” said Ontrack Managing Director Grant Morgan. “This preparation has seen him a fit and happy horse and all his runs have shown that he’s come back in great order. “That Doomben field was as strong as Class 6 races get in Brisbane and he was pretty impressive. “It’s an achievement by any horse to win its way to open handicap and the way Impregnable won at Doomben in such a strong plate race suggests he will more than hold his own in open handicaps. “The Doomben race leads perfectly into an open 1200 metres race at the Gold Coast on January 5,” said Grant Morgan. A $40,000 purchase out of the Inglis Classic Sale by Grant Morgan, Impregnable has now earned $212,155 for his owners thanks to 7 wins and 11 minor placings. Trainer Toby Edmonds was confident of a big run by Impregnable after the horse drew barrier one. “He was only just beaten at Doomben after starting from the outside gate and when he finally drew an inside barrier, we were confident of a big run. “The conditions of the race meant he carried topweight so we were keen to put young Jackson Murphy on and claim two kilograms. I think that claim proved to be the difference between winning and running second. “He’s been much happier horse this preparation and I’m pretty sure that’s due to a different training regime. We swim him each day before he works and we try things such as interval training and treadmill work to mix things up. “He’s a gross horse who takes plenty of getting fit, but once fit he always puts in and he races well late into a preparation,” said Toby Edmonds. Congratulations to our owners in Impregnable: 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 (Manager Di McDonald). Ontrack’s New Zealand Horse and Wine Tour ended this week and the trip over the ditch proved an eye opener for everyone on the tour.
The six day tour takes in some of the best scenery and thoroughbred studs that New Zealand has to offer. Ontrack’s Grant Morgan is used to watch tour members bedazzled by what New Zealand puts on show, but this year it was his turn to be amazed. “This year was the first time in 13 years we went to the famous Cambridge Stud without Sir Patrick Hogan in charge. “To be honest we were not sure what to expect, but the experience was truly jaw dropping. “Our very good friend Henry Plumptre is now managing Cambridge Stud and, as always, Henry was a fantastic host but the new owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay proved to be amazing hosts. “Brendan and Jo are in the middle of a mind boggling programme to reinvigorate Cambridge Stud “They were able to find time in a busy schedule to host our party and their graciousness and sheer passion for the industry had everyone on the tour amazed. “They also extended an invitation to visit a racing stable they have established at Karaka south of Auckland and that visit was simply breath takings. “Brendan and Jo have turned a greenfield site into an absolutely incredible setup and with their private trainer Lance Noble they look poised to have a major impact on the racing and breeding industry in New Zealand and Australia. “To be honest, heading to New Zealand we were wondering what the future looked like with the changing of the guard at Cambridge Stud. “After spending time with Jo and Brendan and their team there’s no doubt that Cambridge Stud couldn’t be in better hands,” said Grant Morgan. |
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