Rising star Charge Account took another step towards autumn riches with a dominant victory in the Happy 2nd Birthday ATC Handicap at Warwick Farm on Saturday.
The John O'Shea-trained three-year-old has impressed in only a few starts but it was his dominant seven and three quarter length victory at Canterbury to break his maiden status that really showed his potential.
Charge Account is owned by John and Pam Cornish's Torryburn Stud.
In a happy coincidence for John Cornish, Saturday was his birthday, so the timing of the win couldn't have been much better.
Ridden by Hugh Bowman, Charge Account jumped well from the draw and Bowman was happy to sit on the speed, off the fence with freedom to move when required. He was riding it like the good thing it was.
Approaching the turn Bowman edged towards race leader Net Worth and was within half a length on straightening for the run home.
At the 250m Bowman went for home and Charge Account quickly went past Net Worth and the comfortably held any challengers at bay to score easily.
The margin was a length and a quarter to Masterstroke with Chiaramonte in third place.
“He has taken a wonderful step,” O'Shea said. “A great Bowman ride, good performance by the horse.
“It is very rewarding for everyone with this stable to win the race on John's birthday, it is a special day for everyone, I am hoping Pam and John get a lot of delight out of this horse and it doesn't stop here.
“They bred the horse, the reared it themselves, they spend a lot of time with the horses that we don't really appreciate and when you get a good one, which hopefully this horse will become, it is a special time.
“There is an 1100m stakes race for three year olds in about three weeks and then play it by ear, we just have to keep him going through his grades the best we can.”
“It was a big step today and it was just great to win for John and Pam, I have had a lot to do with them over the years and it means a lot to me,” Bowman said.
“To ride a horse like this, you are on a one way street to the autumn, he is a serious galloper, and you are going to hear a lot more of him very soon.
“John left it to me, and the way Net Worth trialled the other day I anticipated a bit of pressure from there and a bit of pace inside.
“I just let the horse be comfortable where he was happy, took a pull about the half mile and I was very confident turning for home.”
