Trainer Ciaron Maher is confident that general freshness is the key to Charlie Boy returning to winning form in Saturday’s Magic Millions Sprint (1200m) on the Gold Coast.
Charlie Boy will contest Saturday’s Magic Millions Sprint off the back of a freshen-up. Photo: Daniel Costello
Charlie Boy has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his entire racing career so far and will enter the 2017 Magic Millions Sprint with a commendable record of four wins and six minors through thirty starts; highlighted by multiple placings at Group 1 level.
Having not been seen at the races since running a credible fifth in the Listed Ladies Day Cup (1400m) at Hawkesbury on November 3rd, Maher told Racing Ahead that he cannot fault the condition of the Myboycharlie gelding and believes his impressive fresh record could play a role in his performance in the Magic Millions Sprint.
“He’s an older horse now, but we’ve had him down at the beach at Warrnambool just to change it up for him,” Maher said.
“He’s had a couple of trials and seems well. He had a little look around the course proper this morning and seemed OK.
“He doesn’t win out of turn it seems now, but his fresh form is probably his better form.
“He’s been around a while and it’s like anything – if you change it up it can be as good as a holiday, so we’ve changed it up with him but I suppose we won’t really know until race day. He certainly seems bright and well in himself.”
Charlie Boy began his racing career under the guidance of Gerald Ryan in the late stages of 2012, and has also been prepared by Peter and Paul Snowden before his arrival at Maher’s stables at the conclusion of spring.
Having displayed a key affiliation with racing in Queensland, Charlie Boy won the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) before running second to Boban in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) most notably during the 2015 Winter Carnival.
Allocated barrier 11, Charlie Boy has been charged with overcoming a race-high 59.5kgs in the Magic Millions Sprint but will be partnered by leading hoop Hugh Bowman.
Charlie Boy is currently available at 2017 Magic Millions Sprint odds of $17 with Ladbrokes Australia.
