The Paul Williams-trained Shooin ($5.00) is the 2024 Dynamo champion after recording the quickest winning time in the nine-race series over the 1120m in Hobart on Friday night.
Driven by Gareth Rattray, the pacer won the fifth race of the series, the Fehlbergs Produce Pace, in a time of 1:18.0s.
From barrier three, Rattray drove the pacer out of the mobile to end up in second spot and was driven up the majority of the way, with the Shoobees Place gelding responding in the home straight to record a neck win over Major Lester ($3 fav) and Sharmey ($8.50) in a mile rate of 1:52.1.
“The last couple of times I have driven him, he had drawn back in the field from bad draws and just went terrible. Todd and Gareth (Rattray) have driven him up in the breeze, and he has gone well.
“Actually, that’s Gareth’s fourth win on him, and I thought in that sort of race, if I put Gareth back on him, he would go well,” said Williams after the win.
The pacer is raced by Mark Kaye, who purchased the pacer in March 2023.
“Mark got him from up Wagga and paid about $8,000 for him, so he has done well for him.
As part of the Dynamo promotion, a $20,000 bonus was offered to the connections of the fastest winner of the night. Kaye collected the $10,000 owners’ percentage, Williams got the $7,500 trainer portion, and Rattray collected $2,500 as the winning driver, all on top of the race stakes money.
“As Mark’s wife Karen said, it’s a bit surreal as we aren’t used to winning those sorts of races,” Williams said.
Williams ended the night with a training double when he drove Donny In Paris to victory to win the final heat by the narrowest of margins in the final stride.
“He is a good old horse. He just keeps whacking away,” said the trainer-driver.
Dynamo winning time results
- 1:18.0s Shooin
- 1:18.3s Modern Power
- 1:19.5s Alberio
- 1:19.6s Donny In Paris
- 1:19.7s Queenofdance
- 1:19.9s Resurgent Warrior
- 1:20.1s Remember Me Now
- 1:20.7s Lou Lous Allgold
- 1:22.3s Two Sock Creek
As part of the night, over $10,000 was given away to a southern-based sporting clubs, which ensured a large on-track attendance.
