Charles Road wins 2017 Manawatu Classic Group 3 NZ$70,000 at Awapuni (NZ) 3yo, 2000m.
Warm favourite after a second and a sixth to the country's top three-year-old, Gingernuts (Iffraaj), in his last two starts, Charles Road was rewarded with a nice win here. Craig Grylls allowed the gelding to settle third last, off the fence, with a round to go. Grylls kept the leaders in view down the back and starting the home bend, moved a little wider approaching the last corner and turned in widest but one. At the 250m there were many chances across the track but Charles Road kicked best and grabbed the lead inside the 100m, holding them off by half length.
Beaumarchais was last starting the home bend, pushed widest approaching the last corner and turned in just back and outside the winner. He tried hard the length of the straight but the winner was too strong.
Leading Role was also well back near the last corner, got a split at the 250m to lead briefly but was out-finished while The Cossack was second at the top of the straight and battled the best of the rest for fourth.
