Charlton’s Sophomores’ Plans Revealed

[Wandering Eyes]

Debut winner Fashion’s Star (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) may put her Classic credentials on the line in the G3 Dubai Duty Free S. at Newbury on Apr. 13. The once-raced filly, who saluted by 1 1/4 lengths at Newbury on Sept. 21, is one of a handful of exciting 3-year-olds for Roger Charlton this season, and may be pitched into the Group 3 race better known as the Fred Darling in mid-April. The Andrew Rosen colourbearer is nominated to both the May 5 G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas and the May 26 G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas.

“Fashion’s Star might run in the Fred Darling, and we will see where we go,” said Charlton of the filly, whose dam is a half-sister to Hong Kong Champion Stayer and G1SW Pakistan Star (Ger) (Shamardal).

Fellow first-out victor Great Bear (GB) (Dansili {GB}), out of G1 Darley Irish Oaks heroine Great Heavens (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), is pointing to the £50,000 Listed Blue Riband Trial at Epsom on Apr. 24. Racing in the silks of the late Lady Rothschild, the bay is nominated to the June 1 G1 Investec Epsom Derby.

“Great Bear wants a step up to a mile and a half really,” said Charlton. “We might have a crack at the Derby trial at Epsom, or something like that.”

Juddmonte’s Headman (GB) (Kingman {GB}) saluted over a mile on Newcastle’s all-weather on Nov. 1, but was two lengths behind Godolphin’s Zakouski (GB) (Shamardal) while giving that rival seven pounds returning at Kempton on Nov. 21. He holds a nomination to the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas, while Creationist (Noble Mission {GB}), who is two from three, is another with high-profile races on his agenda.

“I’m happy with Headman, and he is a nice horse,” added Charlton. “I think he will run over a mile and a quarter next, possibly in the conditions race at Newbury in just under two weeks’ time–the race Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) got beaten in. It’s always a good race. He can’t run in a handicap, so he has to run in one of those or a trial. I think a mile and a quarter will probably be his trip.

“Creationist had a bit of a setback and produced a bad scope. He could run in two or three weeks’ time, because there are a couple of nice races for him. There is a nice race at Chelmsford, a listed race at Newcastle or a mile conditions race [at Kempton], so it will be one of those.”

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