Win 1 Timaru - Synchronize Simply Superb

Although not all plain sailing, Synchronize  (3 f Savabeel - Splits, by O'Reilly) proved too classy in the $12,000 NZB Pearl Series Fillies & Mares 1200 metres (eligible $11,500 bonus) on 8 October at Timaru.

Untroubled winning on debut in the Maiden 2YO 1050 metres on 31 March at Matamata, recording the 20^thtwo-year-old win last season for the stable, Synchronize spent too much petrol when resuming in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on 18 September at Riccarton, and trainer Jamie Richards suggested putting a line through the run, going back to basics, getting her to relax, breath and build momentum into the race.

Following instructions, jockey Samantha Wynne took a hold after beginning well and allowed Synchronize to settle rearward. Standing the leader six lengths at the 600m but on the bridle, she quickened appreciably when sighting daylight at the 200m and won stylishly.

“It was a good win and certainly a lot better than how things played out last time at Riccarton,” Richards said. “She went too keenly up on speed and as a result never breathed well enough to see it out.

“She's a lot better ridden quietly and finding the line. It looked like it might become a bit tricky, but Sam (Wynne) managed to pick a way through them and I thought she won with authority.”

A beautiful filly, good legged with an action to match, Synchronize was clear favourite back in class and paid $2.30 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

On Dead4 footing, she ran the 1200 metres in 1:10.0 and became the second New Zealand Bloodstock Pearl Series bonus winner for the stable this week, after Belle En Rouge also collected an additional $11,500 on Wednesday at Taupo.

Holding a nomination for the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on New Zealand Cup Day (13 Nov.) at Riccarton, Richards is hopeful Synchronize can build on her success.

“We'd like to aim toward some of the three-year-old stakes' races available to her and see where we end up,” he said. “It was a good win and pleasing for our staff at the Riccarton base that are putting in the hard yards.”

A granddaughter of Joint top filly on the 2005-06 NZ 3YO Free Handicaps Legs (Pins - River Century, by Centaine), who recorded Group 1 wins in the New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m), Synchronize had won all three trials before continuing the trend on race day.

Owned by Te Akau Flexibeel Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), she was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $280,000 at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud. Although unraced, her dam Splits (O'Reilly) is a sister to Te Akau trained Spring Classic (Listed, 2000m) winner Wolfwhistle.

At stud, grand-dam Legs left five individual winners of 16 races, including Te Akau trained Scrutinize (Savabeel), an impressive debut winning two-year-old and stakes placed at three, and family of Te Akau trained 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Xtravagant (Pentire), now standing at Newhaven Park, N.S.W.

“Our Assistant Trainer Sam Bergerson is in the south for us at Riccarton, overseeing the horses and team,” Ellis said. “He's doing a phenomenal job. He's a stickler for detail and is very hard-working and I'm thrilled to see him getting the success.

“Sam is assisted by Lydia Truesdale, who did an outstanding job for us there last season. Sumeet (Pillay) was there last year and he is down south again and the whole team is doing a great job.

“Synchronize has now won two of her three starts and looks pretty exciting. We thought she was one of the picks of the Waikato Stud draft when we bought her. A neater type of filly, from a family we are extremely familiar with, and she's all quality and rich in colour.

“It's a family stacked full of black type and hopefully she can keep progressing toward the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), which is one of the reasons we bought her.”

Synchronize was strapped by Sumeet Pillay.

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