Photo: Trish Dunell
Last season’s Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) winner Dynastic (NZ) (Almanzor/Meir) made a successful return to racing when he displayed a touch of class in taking out the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m).
The Mark Walker-trained son of Almanzor had opened a well favoured $2.70 chance for the first feature race on the card at Hastings, however concerns about him handling the holding nature of the Heavy10 rated surface saw him drift in the betting to start second favourite ($3.90) behind stablemate Fellini (NZ) (Belardo) ($3.20) as the starting gates opened.
Rider Opie Bosson had him away nicely from a wide barrier (8) in the ten-horse field and positioned just off a solid speed set up by debutant Golden Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma).
Approaching the turn most of the field were off the bit and chasing hard as Dynastic cruised up to issue a challenge to Golden Darci in company with impressive debutant winner Pier.
The trio settled down to fight out the finish with Bosson getting the best out of the classy colt as he held out Pier by a length and a half to register his second victory at his fifth start, with Golden Darci battling on strongly for third.
Walker breathed a sigh of relief at the result as he looks ahead to further spring riches for his charge.
“He is just a class animal and when you look at him in the parade ring, he is just a magnificent specimen,” Walker said.
“He was all out at the 200m, but he picked himself up when the other horse came at him and lifted again, so it was a fantastic effort.
“You just have to hope now he comes through this first-up run well enough although we do have three weeks to nurse him along to the Hawke’s Bay Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m).
“I’m just thrilled for the syndicate who race him as there are some great people involved. Everyone weas pretty nervous heading into the race with the way the track was but he didn’t let us down.”
Bred by Windsor Park Stud in partnership with long-time client John Thompson and his wife Margaret out of the Volksraad mare Meir (NZ), Dynastic was purchased from their 2021 National Yearling sale Book 1 draft for $360,000 by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis.
Bosson was thrilled with the effort after admitting there were some concerns for him as the field approached the turn and Dynastic started to come under pressure.
“He’s done everything right as we were a little worried about him going this way around,” Bosson said.
“I was also concerned across the top, but you can see that the more distance for him, the better he will be.
“Once I gave him a couple with the stick he put his ears back and really gave it a crack which is ideal.
“He has such beautiful movement about him and as I said he just wants more ground.”
Raced by the Te Akau 2021 Stallion Syndicate, Dynastic has the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton as his main spring target with TAB Bookmakers installing him as the $4 Fixed Odds favourite for the race held on November 5.
The victory also provides another highlight for his sire Almanzor who stands for $50,000+GST for the 2022 breeding season at his Cambridge Stud base.
– NZ Racing Desk
