The 6-year-old Irish import Charterhouse (GB) opened his Australian account for the all-conquering Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable in Saturday’s $500,000 Listed Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup (1600m).
Ridden by Declan Bates, the 5-year-old son of Charming Thought (GB) came from second last on the turn to overpower Foxy Cleopatra (American Pharoah) by a short-neck with Just Folk (Magnus) a length back in third.
A Listed winner and Group III-placed in Ireland for John Joseph Murphy, Charterhouse (GB) broke through for his first win at start five in his adopted homeland.
Stable representative Jack Turnbull said Charterhouse (GB) was overdue for a change of luck.
“The horse has been in good form, but he’s had a checkered prep, to say the least,” Turnbull said.
“He’s had a bad blood; he stepped on a plate, so we’ve been pushing and persevering, saying the horse is going well, but at the end of the day, you need the results, and we got that. The rain came, and he relished the mile.
“We knew he was doing what we wanted him to do at home. He went from running over six (furlongs) down the straight and running admirably but probably found that too sharp, and then fitness-wise, second time at the mile, we were right up to the mark today.”
Charterhouse (GB) was a 130,000 gns purchase for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the Castlebridge Consignment at the 2022 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale.
He is the best of two winners from five to race for the winning Royal Applause mare Crocus Rose, a half-sister to the Group III Lancashire Oaks winner Ela Athena, who placed in seven Group 1s.
Ela Athena is the dam of Group II Doncaster Cup winner Pallasator.
Charterhouse is one of two stakes-winners for Oasis Dream’s Group 1 Middle Park Stakes winner Charming Thought (GB), who stands at March Hare Stud for £3,000.
