Dollars Delivers a Dominant Performance at Taree
There are wins that build confidence, and there are wins that confirm a horse is heading in the right direction.
At Taree on 13 February, DOLLARS produced the latter, delivering a commanding performance to win the Budgeree Holsteins Class 1 & Maiden Plate over 1614 metres in a fashion that left little doubt he was the best horse in the race.
Starting a firm favourite at $2.50, the 4-year-old chestnut gelding by Written Tycoon from Stresa had to overcome the widest barrier in gate nine, but jockey Ashley Morgan made a decisive move that ensured luck would play no part in the outcome. Jumping cleanly, Ash pushed forward early, allowing Dollars to stride into a comfortable position up on the pace, sitting at the girth of the leader Nikody’s Binks.
From there, the race unfolded perfectly. Travelling strongly and comfortably within himself, Dollars had his rivals under pressure before the home turn, and when Ash asked him to lengthen in the straight, the response was immediate and decisive.
Under hands and heels riding, Dollars surged clear, quickly putting the race beyond doubt. Such was his superiority that Ash was able to ease him down over the final 50 metres, yet the margin continued to widen, the gelding crossing the line 4.03 lengths in front in a time of 1:38.79 on a Soft 5 surface.
It was a dominant display and one that fittingly reflected the performance of the best horse in the field on form.
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This was Dollars second run back from a spell, and the improvement he has made this preparation is evident to the eye. Under the care of excellent horseman Jason Deamer at Newcastle, he has returned a bigger, stronger and more mature horse, furnishing into his frame and beginning to translate that physical development into racetrack performance. His first-up run over 1400 metres at Newcastle was full of merit despite the circumstances. Forced to go back from an outside barrier in a race dominated by on-pace runners, he had little opportunity to show his true ability, yet he still worked home soundly and derived significant fitness benefit from the run.
Stepping out to the mile at Taree, ridden positively and allowed to use his natural strength, we saw a far more complete performance. Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the victory was how strong he was through the line. He was not stopping; in fact, he was powering away, suggesting that further improvement is to come as his fitness deepens and that distances out to 2000 metres will be well within his scope. Importantly, this was still a horse building his foundation for the preparation, which makes the performance all the more encouraging.
Wins like this are especially satisfying because they reflect patience and planning. Allowing a horse the time to develop, placing him carefully, and bringing him to the races in the right condition are all part of the process, and performances like this are the reward. Dollars has now taken his record to two wins, two seconds and two thirds from eleven starts and continues to progress in the right direction, both physically and mentally, with the promise of more to come.
Congratulations go to our wonderful Dynamic Owners — Dynamic Syndications Racing, Mrs S R Smith, Mr M D Heath, Mr M P Carroll, Mr P J Ebeling-Vincent, Mr R W Swan, Mr A G Mitchell, Mr S D Murray, Matrix Racing, Mr A Cranes and Yulestar — who were rewarded with a performance that was as professional as it was impressive.
With natural improvement still to come, distances to suit, and confidence building with each run, Dollars looks a horse whose best days are still ahead of him.
This win by DOLLARS recorded our 980th Race Win Overall and our 29th Race Win for the current season.
Onwards and Upwards.