David Archer is no stranger to top level success
and he could be in line for a return to the glory days with his latest black
type winner.
He races the promising Charles Road, who downed his age group opposition in the
Group III Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic at Awapuni on Saturday.
Archer, who celebrated no fewer than 10 Group One wins with his two-time New
Zealand Horse of the Year Mufhasa, was on course to cheer his son of
Myboycharlie (IRE) to victory.
"He's a really nice horse and I'm quite relieved to see him do that," he said.
"He's been up since July and he's only a three-year-old and he's going to come
to the end of it at some stage so it was a very gutsy win."
Charles Road is trained by Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott, who were both in
Sydney, and he was ridden by Craig Grylls.
The Matamata-based jockey was happy to sit toward the back of the field with
the gelding before they moved ominously into contention across the top.
Charles Road lengthened stride impressively in the closing 300 metres to win
for the second time in his seven start career. He also finished runner-up in
the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas before running sixth in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby.
A $90,000 NZB Premier purchase from the Wentwood Grange draft, Charles Road is
by Jameka's sire Myboycharlie (IRE) from Giant Mystique, a half-sister to
Singapore Horse of the Year War Affair.
Charles Road is the 14th stakes-winner for Vinery Stud's Myboycharlie.