The Conor Crook-trained Ultimaction ($1.90 fav) claimed the 2025 Dynamo when clocking the fastest mile across the eight heats in Hobart on Friday night.
Ultimaction stopped the clock in 1:54.962s in the Fehlbergs Produce Dynamo Heat 8 (1609m), securing the $20,000 bonus for the fastest winning time of the meeting.
Driver Jordan Chibnall drove a confident race to find the lead, and allowed the Ultimate Machete mare to bowl along in quarters of 27.6s, 29.0s, 28.4s before outstaying her rivals in a 30.0s final section, to defeat Stranded Lollipop ($7) by 9.9m, with Nova Baxter ($5.50) a further 6.4m away third.
“She’s the toughest horse I’ve ever driven, if she had something to race up the straight she would have gone to another gear, she just floats and waits for them, and that’s exciting,” said Chiball about the mare who took her record to seven wins from 14 starts.
“I was thinking if she had something to race up the straight, she probably would have gone another 28s (quarter).
“I have so much respect and time for her, and it’s been such a credit to Conor for getting her back to where she is now after slicing her tendon last year.
“She just switches off when she gets too far in front of them, but she is certainly a tough little cookie, and she loves to race,” the driver explained.
Chibnall collected $2,500 of the $20,000 Dynamo speed bonus as the winning driver, trainer Conor Crook collected $7,500, while the winning connections shared the remaining $10,000.
“It’s a great incentive, with incredible bonuses that really make it hard to pass up.
“We had her set for a race in a couple of weeks, but when we saw this was coming up, we elected to go to this race because of the big bonuses. It has paid off, and I’m sure we will be back to support the Dynamo in years to come,” Chibnall said.
Promising three-year-old Horatius Speculo ($2.05 fav) recorded the second fastest winning time of the series, when scoring in the Woodlands Stud Dynamo Heat 6, leading all the way in 1:56.001s to score by 15.9m.
Tiarna Ford is unbeaten on the Tammy Langley-trained pacer in the three drives that she has had on the Art Major colt.
North-west coast trainer Leigh Rand took training honours at the meeting with a winning double with Muzzame Mate ($8.50) and Dancinwivjolene ($5.50), both scoring, with Rohan Hillier taking the reins on both pacers.
2025 Dynamo winners table
1:54.962s Ultimaction
1:56.001s Horatius Speculo
1:56.209s My Way
1:56.418s Maninky Moonshine
1:57.398s My Bad
1:58.199s Martyr
1:58.448s Muzzame Mate
1:59.720s Dancinwivjolene
