Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Exciting 2YO filly Solar Charged, once again heads Golden Slipper markets after her dominant win in the Gr 3 Kindergarten Stakes over 1100m at Warwick Farm last Saturday.  After creating a big impression on debut when winning by 5 lengths at Randwick on 28 November, the daughter of Charge Forward is now the $4.60 favourite for the World’s richest 2YO race on 3 April.

The John O’Shea trained filly began brilliantly and led all the way, leaving her rivals floundering in the heavy conditions.  She lengthened considerably in the straight when asked by champion jockey Hugh Bowman, to race away and win by 4 ½ lengths.

The O’Shea stable has always had a high opinion of this filly and have held her in similar regard to her father, Charge Forward, who John trained to win the Gr 1 AJC Galaxy Hcp (1100m) at 3 and was runner up in Dance Hero’s Gr 1 Golden Slipper.

“You tend not to enjoy watching races like that too much because of the anticipation, so it’s a relief,” O’Shea said. 

“Our anticipation was the way she won today would be how it happened but you like to let the horses do the talking.  It was very encouraging and hopefully she’ll go on.”

Solar Charged will line up in the Gr 2 Reisling Slipper Trial over 1200m at Rosehill in 2 weeks time in the lead up to the Golden Slipper.

“I think we need to, it’s just a bit of seasoning,” O’Shea said.  “She wobbled late and you wouldn’t want to do that in a Golden Slipper irrespective of your ability.”

Champion jockey Hugh Bowman paid Solar Charged a huge compliment by comparing her to her father.

“We knew she was good before the race and it was nice to see her prove it again.  She’s got very similar characteristics to her father Charge Forward and he got beaten a neck by the best 2YO (Dance Hero) I’ve seen in any Golden Slipper.  Hopefully she can go one better.”