Inconsistent colt Charlie Boy impressed jockey Michael Rodd with his performance in a barrier trial at Randwick this morning, ahead of his return to racing in the 2014 Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) on the Gold Coast next Saturday.
Charlie Boy will return to the races in the Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast on January 11. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Charlie Boy was positioned towards the tail of the field in the barrier trial over 1050 metres and worked home strongly in the final stages to finish third behind Number One Gun and impressive Golden Rose placegetter Bull Point.
Rodd told TVN after the barrier trial that he was happy with the effort of Charlie Boy and believes that the three-year-old is good enough to win the Magic Millions Guineas, if he receives a bit of luck next weekend.
“He sat back and hit the line really good in what obviously was a pretty hot trial,” Rodd said.
“I’m really happy with him.
“He does need room; when he won in the Danehill, he didn’t look like he was going to do anything until he got back to the inside where there was no horses around him and then he really hit the line strongly.
“He has a lot of class, but be just needs a bit of galloping room to do his best.”
Charlie Boy has not been seen at the races since he finished seventh behind Long John in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 12 – a race in which Rodd believes that the Myboycharlie colt had plenty of excuses.
The Gerald Ryan-trained galloper has recorded two wins from three starts first-up, winning the ATC Membership On Sale Now Handicap (1100m) on debut and the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival, and Rodd believes that he should have no trouble performing first-up in the Magic Millions Guineas.
“He got absolutely belted in the Caulfield Guineas; all four legs got lifted off the ground coming around the home turn,” Rodd said.
“I can’t see 1400 being an issue first-up.
“They’ll go pretty quick, especially in this race.”
Gai Waterhouse-trained Bull Point has not been seen at the races since his remarkable third place in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 14 and like Charlie Boy worked home well in the final stages of the trial.
Charlie Boy ($8) is currently on the fourth line of 2014 Magic Million Guineas betting markets, behind Enquare ($4.80), Sweet Idea ($5) and Shiraz Attack ($6).
