Monday, 22 March 2010: The emphatic 6.25 lengths St Leger stakes winner Mr Charlie provided his breeder's Windsor Park Stud with a notable 'classic' double of sorts following on from Military Move's victory in the G1 New Zealand Derby two weeks ago.
In days gone by the triumvirate of NZ classic races, the Guineas, the Derby and the St Leger, provided the supreme test at Group One level for 3YO's over a range of distances throughout the racing season.
Now the NZ St Leger is run over 2500m and is open to 4YOs as well as 3YO aspirants, providing a quality staying opportunity for future Cups race contenders.
Mr Charlie, a $70,000 graduate of Windsor Park's 2007 Karaka yearling sales draft, is a son of classic winner Golan, whose success at the elite level included victory in the English 2000 Guineas.
Golan is enjoying another successful season as apart from Mr Charlie he has also sired G1 Hong Kong Classic Mile winner Beauty Flash as well as G3 New Zealand Cup winner My Scotsgrey.
Bred by Windsor Park's Mapperley Partnership, Mr Charlie looks destined to add further to the stud's burgeoning list of stakes winners this season.
Besides
New Zealand Derby winner Military Move they include Victoria Derby winner Monaco Consul, Hong Kong G1 winner Beauty Flash, Australian Group winners Centennial Park, Growl and Swiss Rose and New Zealand stakes winners King's Ransom and Richard Beymer.
