There seems to be rash of top-class horses in recent times that have failed to perform in the breeding shed and this is just another one of them.
Criterium, Kementari and Menari have all had fertility problems.
Late Charge may not have measured up to those Group 1 performers on the track but he was clearly talented.
At three he was third in the Group Two Autumn Stakes before later winning in the Listed Tontonan Stakes at Flemington defeating Under the Louvre and Extra Zero.
The son of Hard Spun (USA) was retired to Riverbank Farm in 2016 but he left just six foals from 16 mares covered.
Three years after his retirement Late Charge was gelded and returned to training.
One of the six foals Late Charge left became his first winner at Bendigo on Wednesday.
The appropriately named The Last Charge led at every call for Beau Mertens and was courageous in the straight to defeat the fast-finishing Headwater colt River Twain by a short-half-head with the Rubick filly Taylor's Dream a neck back in third.
Trained by Kevin Corstens, The Last Charge was making his third start.
After debuting with a sixth at Bendigo on March 15 he improved to be third over 1100 metres at Caulfield on April 4.
A homebred for Ken King, The Last Charge is the fourth winner from seven starters out of the winning Maizcay mare Elite Vision whose dam Photo (Bellotto) is a daughter of the dual Listed stakes-winner Goodwood Lady (Plush).
The Last Charge is the only named foal to date of Late Charge who made a further seven starts since returned to training.
He has not been seen since finishing last at Sandown in June last year.
