Dynastic (NZ) Makes Big Spring Statement

Karaka Million hero Dynastic (NZ) (Almanzor) announced his arrival on New Zealand’s three-year-old scene with an outstanding first-up performance in the $80,000 Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings on Saturday. 

Bought by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis for $360,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2021, the quality colt has now had five starts for two wins, two placings and $658,125 in stakes.

Dynastic was a scintillating winner of the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie in January in only his second career start, becoming the Te Akau team’s sixth consecutive winner of the coveted two-year-old showpiece. He later stepped up to Group One level, finishing a close second in the Sistema Stakes (1200m) in March.

Saturday’s Listed sprint was Dynastic’s first race day appearance in more than five months, and he came up against a highly talented field of race-fit three-year-olds. If that wasn’t enough of a challenge, the race was on testing heavy ground, which was unlike anything he had ever raced on before.

But Dynastic’s class shone through, stretching out powerfully in the straight to edge past the front-running Golden Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma).

The highly rated Pier (NZ) (Proisir) chased hard down the outside through the final 200 metres, but Dynastic rose to the challenge and kicked away again to score by a length and three-quarters.

“We were a little worried about him going this way around, but he’s done everything right,” winning rider Opie Bosson said. “I was concerned across the top, but you can see that the more distance he races over, 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. He has such beautiful movement about him.”

Dynastic was guided by Jamie Richards through his two-year-old campaign until the champion trainer relinquished his role at Te Akau ahead of his move to Hong Kong. Multiple premiership winner Mark Walker has since taken over, and Dynastic has made an immediate impression.

“He is just a class animal,” Walker said. “When you look at him in the parade ring, he is just a magnificent specimen.

“He was all out at the 200-metre mark, 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 (Group Two, 1400m).

“I’m just thrilled for the syndicate who race him – there are some great people involved. Everyone was pretty nervous heading into the race with the way the track was, but he didn’t let us down.”

Vendor	Windsor Park Stud
Purchaser	Mr DC Ellis (Te Akau)
Breeding	Almanzor – Meir
Sale	Lot 533, Karaka 2021 Book 1, $360,000
Bred by	J C & Mrs M A Thompson & Windsor Park Stud