Charlie Boy set to break win drought

Charlie Boy at Randwick
Charlie Boy wins the Liverpool City Cup at Randwick in February, 2016. (Bradley Photos)

Veteran Charlie Boy has been missing from the winners’ circle for 18 months but a return to his pet track and distance gives him a chance to break the drought at Doomben.

Charlie Boy will be having his third start for Eagle Farm trainer Tony Gollan when he tackles Saturday’s Open Handicap (1350m).

The gelding has earned his top weight of 60.5kg which will be reduced to 59kg with apprentice Lani Fancourt’s claim.

He was second first-up behind Sunny Victory at Doomben and followed that with a fourth to in-form Stella Ombra two weeks ago at the same track.

Both those runs were over 1200m and added to his strong overall Doomben record.

But it is at 1350m that Charlie Boy has excelled at Doomben.

Charlie Boy has had four goes at the Doomben 1350m for a win in the 2015 Group Three BRC Sprint, a second in the 2015 Doomben 10,000 and a third in the 2016 Doomben 10,000.

His only failure was in the 2015 Stradbroke Handicap when he received interference.

Charlie Boy’s last win was in the Liverpool City Cup at Randwick in February last year when he was trained by Peter and Paul Snowden.

Gollan is his fourth trainer and he says he believes he will be suited on Saturday.

“He had two trials for us and his two runs have been good. He is paying the price for his earlier form at the weights,” Gollan said.

“But last start he didn’t have much luck when he had to force his way clear and he was just getting wound up in the final 100 metres. It indicated he was looking for 1350.

“Charlie Boy is a real old gent around the stables and like all old horses he has a few issues. But it would be good to get another win for him.”

Gollan is in Melbourne awaiting the delayed arrival of Most Important who runs in Saturday’s Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield but the trainer looks set to play a major role at Doomben.

He has several top chances including in-form mares Sheiswhatsheis and Pindan Pearl in the Open Handicap (1600m).

“Sheiswhatsheis and Pindan Pearl both look very well at the moment. You would expect that with mares at this time of the year but they look extra good,” Gollan said.

“Pindan Pearl has been very consistent for us and she is headed to stud shortly.

“Sheiswhatsheis will race on for at least another season and she is primed to make it six wins at the Doomben 1600 metres on Saturday.”

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments