Charming Kid on the gallops
CHARMING KID won a thrilling finish at Wolverhampton today and just hung on by the closest of noses under Adam Kirby to deny market rival, Atiyah.
The Charm Spirit 5yo gelding was only having his third run of the season, having run well 20 days ago when second at Lingfield, that run coming after a long lay-off.
This was the “Kid’s” 21st race and the first time Adam Kirby was aboard. The pair broke well in the five furlong contest and made all. In the home straight it looked as though they were going to win a shade comfortably but the horse’s stride shortened and the post came just in time as Atiyah was making his run up the inside rail.
Adam Kirby
Charming Kid was winning his third race in total but his first for Harper Lodge Farm. Congratulations to The Cool Silk Partnership who have had him throughout his racing career, having paid £105,000 for him at the Breeze-ups as a 2yo. Earlier in the day, Atiyah headed the market but there was strong support for Charming Kid who went off the 9/4 favourite.
The horse had good form as a 2yo, having been placed in the Group Two July Stakes over 6f, after which he was rated 105. Today, he was running off a mark of 77 and having only won by a nose, the handicapper cannot raise him much, especially as the third horse, Mutabaahy was only a short-neck behind the runner-up.
The stable has had plenty of places recently but winners have been rather hard to come by, so this was a welcome change of fortune for Dean and the Harper Lodge Farm team.
Having won by the minimum distance, the handicapper cannot be too harsh, so hopefully Charming Kid can be competitive in his next outing.
