Charge Forward assails Magic Millions riches

Charge Forward maintains his dominance of early-season 2YO racing after his Arrowfield-sold daughter Assail powered to a 3-length victory in today’s $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic (R) LR.

It was a seriously impressive performance, as jockey Peter Robl confirmed after the race. “That was a blistering win. She drew 12 of 12. She showed blistering speed from the start, wanted to over race in the middle stages then straightened up and just put paid to them.

“She’s a very exciting filly. Did it at both ends today, she’s run good time doing it and she’ll improve off the run.”

Assail’s time for the 1100 metres was 1.03.61, the last 600 metres in 34.86. Frill Seeking was second, less than a length ahead of Dream Forward (also by Charge Forward), and Not A Single Doubt‘s daughter Certitude was fourth.

Trainer Clarry Conners knows a thing or three about managing gifted 2YOs. He recalls his opinion of Assail when he inspected her in Arrowfield’s 2012 Magic Millions Gold Coast draft. “I thought she was an athletic filly in the right draft, by the right sire at the right price – everything was in her favour.”

Less than a year after buying her for $40,000, he can add, “She’s a natural racehorse, she’s unbelievable.” The filly, who has already won more than $190,000, is now the clear favourite for the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (R) LR on 12 January.

Assail was bred by the partnership of Arrowfield & Planette Thoroughbred from the Redoute’s Choice mare Emanday, an unraced sister of Group 1 winner Master of Design, from the outstanding Princess Tracy family.

She is the 11th stakeswinner for Charge Forward, who holds a commanding lead on the 2YO Sires’ list with $605,100 and four winners, 3 of them successful in stakes company. Charge Forward’s other two juvenile stakeswinners this season are Direct Charge and Crack A Roadie; he’s also had a pair of 3YO stakeswinners this term, Cavalry Rose and another Arrowfield Magic Millions graduate Urban Groove.

Charge Forward is abundantly fulfilling expectations that he would succeed as a potent outcross for Danehill’s genetics: his five stakeswinners this season are all from mares by sons of Danehill.

As buyers get into the serious work of analysing the 2013 Magic Millions Gold Coast catalogue, Charge Forward, Snitzel and Not A Single Doubt make it as easy as 1-2-3, which are the positions they hold on the Australian 2YO Sires’ table.

Visiting the Arrowfield & Bellerive consignments is also highly recommended, here and, of course, at the Gold Coast Sales complex from 3 January.