Gerald Ryan's Charlie Boy emerged as a Caulfield Guineas player on Saturday afternoon, impressively claiming the Group 2 Danehill Stakes at Flemington.
Jockey Michael Rodd made full use of gate five, settling the Triple Crown syndicated colt back and towards the inside before producing a sweeping run home up the rail to outlast a fast-finishing Kiss A Rose.
Eclair Big Bang ran a huge race for third with well-backed pair Safeguard and Gregers just missing the minor placings.
Chris Ward of Triple Crown said the Caulfield Guineas was Charlie Boy's main aim this preparation.
“It was absolutely brilliant he was travelling so well during the run, I really think he's going to get up over the mile that's probably where you'll see him at his best,” Ward said.
“Gerald's been saying all this prep that he's significantly improved into his three-year-old year and that was testament to that.”
Rodd said he followed Mick Price galloper Longma in the middle stages of the race before finding clear air and going for the throttle.
“Gerald just said to me today just make sure you switch him off, I want him out the back and relaxed and that's how it panned out,” Rodd said.
“They always race in a bit of a pack now going up the straight but I was able to find a nice bum in Craig Newitt's horse and he dragged me right up at the 300m mark.
“It was pretty arrogant in the end, he got to the front and wanted to roll around a bit. He's going to be suited when he gets over a bit further.
“He's obviously got a lot of ability because they put him through a Golden Slipper campaign last time in.”
It was Charlie Boy's first run since the Sydney autumn where he finished eighth in the Golden Slipper before to unplaced efforts in the Sires Produce and the Champagne Stakes.
