Beautifully bred 4yo gelding FIRST THOUGHT was facing the starter for the seventh (7th) time in his career, third-up from a spell and out to a more suitable distance. He presented connections with the “warm and fuzzies” when breaking his maiden in strong fashion at the Yarra Valley meeting on Saturday in Victoria.
Our Ciaron Maher trained stayer faced the starter for a trip over 1950m and lived up to expectation when taking the cash in Race 3, the Frank Pomogacs' 70th Maiden Plate, by an eased down 1.5 length stroll over runner-up Golden Mask with third placed Ashina a further 1.5length in arrears.
Patiently ridden and given a charmed steer by pilot Jake Noonan, FIRST THOUGH never at any stage gave supporters any concerns with his dominant display.
Jumping away cleanly from barrier 2 and pushing up to maintain forward position, the field swung out of the straight for the first time and Jake had obtained the perfect spot, when a couple went forward and Jake was able to settle into a rhythm, one out following the pace, with cover, settling fifth approximately 6 lengths off the speed.
FIRST THOUGHT balanced and travelled sweetly, tracking the genuine tempo as the field settled into its pattern. It wasn’t until the 600m marker that pressure was applied to the race and Jake asked FIRST THOUGHT to improve and they begin to reel-in the leaders.
Quickly FIRST THOUGHT responded and Jake was forced to bide his time, as the field began its swing into the home turn, it was vital not to get there too quickly and become a sitting target for the chasers.
As the field swung into the straight FIRST THOUGHT was travelling strongly and went up to eyeball the leader and eventual runner up GOLDEN MASK.
At the 200m Jake asked FIRST THOUGHT to extend and over the next 100m established a length break over the chasers.
With none of his peers able to respond, Jake allowed FIRST THOUGHT an easy, hands and heels gallop to the line, to post a widening 1.5 x 1.5 margin as the camera flashed.
JOB DONE !
Jake Noonan reported to the Owners and Connections: “He found a nice spot, nice rhythm. We tracked up a long way out from home like the winner. We got left in front a bit soon, he did a good job to pick himself up, and hold his gallop, but he had the right form, he was sound and fit leading into it and held them off strongly late. I have no doubt he will get out over further, and that win should give him a bit of confidence.”
CONGRATULATIONS to our Terrific Team of Loyal Dynamic Owners that race FIRST THOUGHT with us: Dynamic Syndications Racing, Ms D G Hall, Mrs C Neil, Mrs J McRae, Mr T M Ellen, Mr M P Bottcher, Mr C Mcmanus, Mr S Shevki, Mr S R Minahan, Mr A S Cuthbertson, Mr D M Lynch, Mr M J Sheer, Mr S W Culley, Matrix Racing, Mr A Cranes, C J R Racing, Mr J R Carter, Smyth Family Racing, Mrs K J Mitchell, Mr G G Gill
FIRST THOUGHT
4yo Brown or Black Gelding
D.O.B: 02-Nov-2021
by SO YOU THINK (NZ) from HISTORY REPEATS
Summary: 7=1:0:2 Prizemoney: $29,010 Min/Max-Dist-Win: 1950
1st of 11 Y VL 7Feb26 1950m Good4 MDN-SW $32,000 ($17,600) Jake Noonan 59.5kg Bar2
2nd Golden Mask 59.5kg, 3rd Ashina (NZ) 57kg 2:03.65, 1.5L, 5th@800m, 3rd@400m,
$2.80/$2.90/$2.80/$2.70
This win by FIRST THOUGHT recorded our 979th Race Win Overall and our 28th Race Win for the current season.
FIRST THOUGHT became Dynamic Syndications latest and 333rd Individual Winner from 365 Individual Runners (91.2%).
The win continues the terrific season we are having, especially with the Ciaron Maher stables who train the majority of our horses.
Team Dynamic took advantage of sending our staying prospect to Ciaron’s Victorian stables where staying races are better catered for and it has proved a masterstroke.
We are excited to get the horse out even further in distances, as we believe he will be far better when he gets out to 2400m and further.
Handy stayers are frustrating to wait for, as they build their foundations but once they have the groundwork under their belt, they can be a lot of fun for owners.
Onwards and Upwards – Forever Forwards!