Classy colt Charlie Boy finally lived up to his potential to record an impressive victory over a strong field in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
Charlie Boy stamped himself as a Caulfield Guineas contender with a strong victory in the Danehill Stakes at Flemington. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Charlie Boy hit the front with 150 metres left to run and indicated that he could be a contender for the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas over a mile by finishing strongly in the final stages of the race.
The Myboycharlie three-year-old was expected to be a major player in the juvenile ranks during the 2013 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival but missed the placings in the Golden Slipper (1200m), Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) and Champagne Stakes (1600m).
Managing co-owner Chris Ward, from Triple Crown Syndication, was thrilled with the win but is already looking ahead to the Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
“Gerald has been saying for a while that he has significantly improved in his three-year-old year and that was just fantastic,” Ward said.
“It was absolutely brilliant, he was travelling so well during the run and I really think he is going to get up over a mile and that is where you will see him at his best.
“We will kick on now and head towards the Guineas hopefully.
Michael Rodd, riding Charlie Boy for the first time, gave the colt a brilliant run into the race and, like Ward, believes that he will be even better over a longer distance.
“He has obviously got a lot ability,” Rodd said.
“Gerald just said to me make sure you switch him off, I want him out the back and relaxed.
“They always race in a bit of a pack now up the straight but I was able to find a nice bum in Craig Newitt’s horse and he dragged me right up until the 300 metre mark.
“My bloke went to have a little bit of a bludge on me so I had to get stuck into him but it was an arrogant win in the end.
“He will be better suited over a longer trip.”
Safeguard and Gregers were both heavily backed in the lead-up to the race and were far from disgraced while Peter Moody-trained Kiss A Rose flashed home late to finish second.
