THE countdown is on for connections of exciting Myboycharlie two-year-old Chasing Charlie who is racing towards his $250,000 Inglis Nursery (1000m) appointment at Warwick Farm next Saturday.
The Canberra trained gelding earned his place in the field with a 2.5-lens win at home on debut in a fast run 1000m Maiden.
Chasing Chasing led by as much as 5-lens in the early stages of the race but veered off his true course in the straight cost him a couple of lengths at the post.
“He was going very well in his work and in his trial so I expected him to run well, but I didn’t expect him to duck out half-way down the straight like he did. He lost quite a few lengths there,” co-trainer Barbara Joseph said recently.
“He ran around a bit in his trial but I think he shied at something or (because) the jockey changed hands with the reigns, (that’s when) he ducked out.
“He’s still pretty green but he seems to have plenty of ability.”
Joseph said Chasing Charlie would have a let-up after his Inglis Nursery bid with an eye to the Group 3 ACT Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra on March 10.
Chasing Charlie has more than his bit already to ensure Vinery freshman Myboycharlie’s career begins the right way with two very impressive winners, Chasing Charlie and Charlie Boy and his only other starter Artistic Lass running third in the A$102,000 ATC Goldners Horse Transport 2YO Plate at Rosehill last month.
Myboycharlie’s first Australian runner – Charlie Boy – created a lasting impression when he scored at Rosehill on debut last month.
Although the Gerald Ryan trained colt is eligible to contest the $2m Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m)), connections have instead decided to target the $3.5 AAMI Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) in the autumn.
