Winner: Mr Chard (Al Samer-Najar)
Race: VRC Carbine Club Stakes G3 (1600m)
Sold for: $18,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Bowness Stud
Buyer: Dean Lawson
Earnings: $342,592
Owner(s): Mrs SL Lawson, WA & Mrs BA Harrison & S & Mrs HG Cameron
Trainer: Dean Lawson (Flemington)
Mr Chard kicked away the Flemington Cup Carnival today when he led home a Magic Millions one-two in the Group Three Carbine Club Stakes (1600m).
Prepared on the track by Dean Lawson, Mr Chard enjoyed a lovely run, one out and one back throughout, before coming with a brilliant burst in the straight to win impressively.
The win was the second straight at stakes level for the colt following his previous race success in the listed Gothic Stakes at Caulfield.
The main worry now for Lawson and his fellow connections is whether to run in the upcoming Sandown Guineas or send their star to the paddock with Sydney’s autumn carnival in mind.
“We’ll see how he pulls up,” Lawson commented. “I’d prefer not to because I’d really love to get him to Sydney for the autumn.”
“I just think he’s going to be such a better horse in the autumn. I’ve said it from day one – he’s an autumn three-year-old and he’s still got a bit of filling out to do.”
“The Rosehill Guineas and the AJC Derby are races we would be looking at,” he added.
Mr Chard sent his earnings soaring to over $340,000 with the win – not bad considering Lawson paid just $18,000 for him at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“He’s been so much more of a relaxed horse this time,” Lawson said. “When Bossy rode him early on and when Craig’s ridden him – they’ve both said he will run 2000 metres.”
“He just goes to sleep. And when you want him to click on he ignites. He’s a good horse.”
At the post Mr Chard ($4.80-$5.50-$5) held a two and a half length margin over the Bart Cummings trained Goldstone ($9-$10-$9), while the SA visitor Condelago ($19-$20-$16) was another half length back in third place.
Mr Chard is eligible for the $1 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast in January but at this stage he would most likely not be heading to the race.
“The owners have got Top Drop with Gerald Ryan and they are looking at the race with him,” Lawson said.
Lawson said there was the option to target the rich Magic Millions Cup a year later.
The stable had double reason to celebrate the win – earlier this year they paid just $9,000 for Mr Chard’s full sister at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
“We couldn’t be happier,” Lawson beamed. “It makes her look a real bargain doesn’t it!”
The initial stakes winner for his sire Al Samer, Mr Chard is the first runner to date for his dam, the unraced Secret Savings mare Najar.
Najar is a half sister to Lawson’s former top class stablemate and fellow Magic Millions graduate Cool Trent – a winner of seven races and over $474,000.
His sire Al Samer, a group winning son of Redoute’s Choice, was also a graduate of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
