Mr Charismatic provides Valley redemption

[Wandering Eyes]

Less than a week after Mr Brightside’s gallant effort when beaten a nose into second in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley, connections were back at the inner-city venue to watch another New Zealand bred son of Bullbars. 

On debut, Mr Charismatic sat just off the speed under jockey Damien Oliver and made his challenge when rounding the home bend to go on to score narrowly from the fast-finishing Elba in the BoozeBud Plate (1200m). 

Prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, Mr Charismatic was purchased by Lindsay Park Racing at last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale from the draft of Highview Stud. 

The now three-year-old gelding caught the eye of Lindsay Park Bloodstock Manager Josh Rix, who went to $150,000 to secure the youngster, with the good-moving son of Bullbars making him a paternal half-brother to stable star Mr Brightside. 

“Most of the Brightside owners are in this horse and they are very happy with the result and so is the team,” a stable representative said. 

Connections of Mr Charismatic celebrate at The Valley
Photo: (George Sal/Racing Photos)

“Ollie gave him a perfect ride, kept him in a rhythm and he finished off.”

Damian Oliver was pleased with the progress of the youngster who he has trialed and helped develop. 

“I trialed him last time in. He showed a bit early but they elected to put him away and give him a bit of time. I rode his last trial too and he shows nice potential,” the veteran rider said. 

“I was in a beautiful position early and then they steadied up and I was just going to have to be restraining him which I didn’t want to do at his first start in a race so I let him flow. 

“I got there a bit sooner than I wanted to but I didn’t want to be dragging him back and he did a great job taking it up so far from home. 

“He is still a bit immature, but he has great potential there and I think he is in for a nice future.” 

Out of the Guillotine mare Louisette, a half-sister to Group Two winner Sacred Master, Mr Charismatic was prepared by Highview Stud, who will offer three colts at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale which commences on November 22 at Karaka.

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