Charmed Harmony Claims Maiden Black-Type Win In Sandown Stakes

Charmed Harmony led from start to finish to record a maiden win at black-type level with a tough victory in the 2015 Sandown Stakes.

Charmed Harmony capped off what has been a stellar campaign with a win in the 2015 Sandown Guineas. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos

Charmed Harmony capped off what has been a stellar campaign with a win in the 2015 Sandown Guineas. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos

There were concerns that Charmed Harmony had come to the end of what had been a lengthy preparation and he normally produces his best form on a softer surface, but made all the running to record sixth win of his campaign.

Jockey Glen Boss had previously recorded two wins from two starts on Charmed Harmony heading into the Sandown Stakes and the veteran hoop said that he has always had a big opinion of the Hussonet gelding.

“He is a really brave horse and I really like him,” Boss said.

“I’ve had a little bit to do with him over the years and he is just so brave.

“He loves to get out there and break the field up a little bit and he is one of those horses that you don’t go too slow on because if they get close to you and they have a bit of a turn-of-foot then they are going to beat you.

“You take their turn-of-foot away from them, run good sectionals all the way and what it does is that they have to do a bit of work just to get to you, while they are still kicking.

“This horse has been up for a long, long time, but I’ve never seen him look so good.

“It is just his bravery that gets me, he is so willing to do everything that you ask.”

Charmed Harmony has generally performed at his best on tracks with a bit of give in them and trainer John Sadler revealed after the race that he wanted to scratch the six-year-old from the Sandown Stakes because he was concerned about the firmness of the track.

“He is just a marvel this horse,” Sadler said.

“He has been so good to my stable ever since he moved to Caulfield.

“I have to be very honest here, I wanted to scratch the horse.

“I was concerned about the ground and because he won doesn’t alter how I feel about that.

Tim Bailey is a great curator, but today’s trip is a little bit firm for my liking and it is about the longevity of horses and looking after them, so that we can go on and race them and they aren’t in pain when they do go around.

“I would just love to see our tracks with a little bit more moisture in them.”

Sadler revealed earlier in the week that Charmed Harmony would head to the spelling paddock after the Sandown Stakes and he confirmed that would be the case.

Charmed Harmony showed that he was capable of being competitive at Group 1 level when he finished fifth in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 26, but Sadler admits he is unsure what races to target with the tough galloper in the autumn.

“I think that a Stradbroke is getting a little carried away, but I would like to really give him a good break and maybe bring him back for either the Winter Plate Series or maybe go up to Queensland a couple of races up there.”

Tashbeeh produced another consistent effort to finish second in the Sandown Stakes, while Burning Front toughed it out to the line bravely to finish third.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.