Synchronize (NZ) Plays Starring Role in Sprint

Synchronize (NZ) (Savabeel) has always had a stellar pedigree and enormous potential, and on Boxing Day at Pukekohe, she lived up to those credentials with a blockbuster black-type performance. 

The $100,000 Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m) was the first stakes win for Synchronize, who has now won four of her eight starts and $89,430 in stakes. She was offered by her breeders Waikato Stud in Book 1 of Karaka 2020, where Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis secured her for $280,000.

Synchronize’s promising career has had a couple of unfortunate interruptions, including a stand-down for bleeding after a race at Taupo on August, but Monday’s brilliant performance was a stylish way to announce her return.

Ridden by South African jockey Craig Zackey, the four-year-old dropped out near the back of the field before launching a dazzling run in the straight. She powered past impressive last-start winner Green Aeon (Snitzel) and blazed away to win by an ever-widening margin of two and a quarter lengths.

“I got pushed out the back, but the more I was riding her patiently, the more she just started to climb against the bit,” Zackey said. “When she got through a tight gap, she just exploded.”

For premiership leader Mark Walker, who trains Synchronize for owners the Te Akau Flexibeel Racing Partnership, Monday’s win was a satisfying sign that the promising galloper is finally back on track.

“I thought she’d go well fresh, and it’s just so unfortunate that she bled in the spring,” Walker said. “We’re on top of that problem now and the key to her is to keep her in a nice, fresh state.

“We knew she had the ability, and it was a good ride by Craig. He held her up, held her up, and she showed a great turn of foot.

“They were back a fair way, but it looked like they went a good enough clip in front and we know that, with that turn of foot, she has a lot more in store.

“We’ll go home and sleep on it, but we might come back here for the Concorde Handicap (Group Three, 1200m) next month.”

Synchronize is out of the unraced mare Splits (NZ) (O’Reilly), who is a daughter of multiple Group One winner Legs (NZ) (Pins). Legs later became an outstanding broodmare with seven winners from seven foals to race, including Listed winner Wolfwhistle (NZ) (O’Reilly) and the Group Two-placed Scrutinize (NZ) (Savabeel).

Synchronize became the 130th individual stakes winner for champion sire Savabeel, who has 40 yearlings in the catalogue for Book 1 of Karaka 2023 next month.

Vendor	Waikato Stud
Purchaser	Mr DC Ellis (Te Akau)
Breeding	Savabeel – Splits
Sale	Lot 302, Karaka 2020 Book 1, $280,000
Bred by	Waikato Stud