Charnley River to shed maiden status

A strong race day gallop has primed Charnley River to shed his title as the best maiden in Queensland.

Charnley River is by Show A Heart out of Wabble making him a full brother to Group One winner Woorim and he has shown glimpses he can measure up to the best of company.

He will be aiming to improve on his four seconds and three fourths from seven starts when he steps out in Sarturday’s Three-Year-Old Hcp (1200m) at Eagle Farm.

Charnley River finished second to star New Zealand gelding Sacred Elixir in the Group One J J Atkins Stakes at Eagle Farm last June.

After the winter he went for a break and had just one run in the spring finishing second at $1.60 in a Sunshine Coast maiden.

Trainer Stuart Kendrick decided to give Charnley River more time to mature and brought him back for a late summer-autumn campaign.

“He has had a jump-out and then worked strongly in an exhibition gallop between races at the Sunshine Coast last Friday,” Kendrick said.

“Three-year-old races in Brisbane are usually the strongest on the card and it is no different this Saturday.

“If he can race well we might even look at going south for some of the autumn races with him. There is no doubt he has the ability.”

Kendrick said the Brisbane winter was a back-up for Charnley River who is raced by owner-breeder Ross Cutts and his family.