Charles Road Stars in Chairman’s

Quality stayer Charles Road (Myboycharlie), who cost $90,000 at the 2015 Premier Sale, made a triumphant Australian debut in Saturday’s A$300,000 Group 2 Schweppes Chairman’s Quality (2600m) at Randwick.

A multiple Group Three winner in New Zealand, the four-year-old was sent across the Tasman by his trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott with next weekend’s Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) in mind. Saturday’s performance was an impressive audition.

Racing under the name Sir Charles Road in Australia, he raced handily in fourth or fifth spot before rider Blake Shinn moved off the rail and began to improve his position approaching the home turn.

A gap opened up at the top of the home straight and Charles Road sprinted through it to take the lead. He was tackled by Ventura Storm (Zoffany), and the pair moved three and a half lengths clear of the rest of the field. Charles Road fought off his rival and scored by a neck.

"It was a marvellous staying performance. He relaxed lovely and I was able to get out at the right time," Shinn said.

"Once challenged he really dug deep and it was a really strong effort."

Raced by Archer Equine Investments Ltd, Charles Road has now had 18 starts for five wins, seven placings and more than $432,000 in prizemoney – almost five times his purchase price.