Charlie’s class to shine through on Thursday
PROGRESSIVE three-year-old All About Charlie is only coming to the completion of its first-ever racing campaign, but trainer Brett Bellamy believes he may have a special prospect on his hands.
The lightly-raced filly has never finished outside the first four in its five-race career, which includes one win and three placings.
All About Charlie shed the maiden tag on the fifth attempt at Coffs Harbour two-weeks ago as a short-priced favourite, and the filly now steps up in Thursday’s Class One Bidfood Handicap at Grafton to the 1400m trip.
This will be the first time the filly has traveled beyond 1215m, but Bellamy believes the horse’s breeding should ensure his galloper easily covers the distance.
“She’s well, she’s happy and we do expect her to run a nice race,” Bellamy told HorseBetting.com.au.
“It’ll be a little bit of a worry going to Grafton in July on what should be a pretty firm track, but she’s drawn a pretty reasonable gate and being about Myboycharlie we don’t think the distance will be an issue.”
Bellamy has every reason to believe his horse will cover the distance given 2016 Caulfield Cup winner Jameka and fellow group one winner Peggy Jean, which both experienced success beyond the 1400m journey, were sired by Myboycharlie.
Bellamy believes the horse is well-placed to continue its rich vein of form.
“So that’s all good, we have a few things in our favour going into it and she’s done everything right up until this point so we are just hoping she can continue to keep doing the same thing, because we feel the 1400m will be to her advantage and not at all a disadvantage.
“We’ve got our fingers crossed for a big one.”
All About Charlie is the $6.50 third favourite at Sportsbet.com.au to take out the third race on Grafton Cup day.
Thursday’s race will be the sixth competitive hit out for the three-year-old, and Bellamy believes that will probably be enough for its opening preparation.
The trainer said he does not want to run the filly into the ground, and a win on Thursday would give up all the justification he needs to send it out for a spell.
“If she wins tomorrow, in my opinion, the option should be to send her for a well-earned rest,” he said.
“She’s only going to benefit from time off now. She’s done a really good job to do what she has done up until that date, but being a three-year-old filly she probably has earned her rest.”
Bellamy believes a win will help make the owner’s decision to spell the filly that much easier after Thursday.
“So if we do win tomorrow I think I’ll be wanting to put her in the paddock and give her a well-earned rest, and the rest of the team would be pretty hard pressed to say no to that too.”
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