Chartreux Wins WATC Derby

Saturday, 24 April 2010 10:16

The Group One drain to the Eastern States continued at Ascot in the Group One $500,000 Schweppes WATC Derby, when the David Hayes trained Chartreux was simply too good for his rivals in Western Australia’s three year old classic.

David Hayes continued the family tradition by training his first WATC Derby winner and Brad Rawiller collected another Group 1 at the track where he rode his initial major success.

Bridgestone ran gallantly to finish second along with Brother Mak in third place while the unlucky God Has Spoken back in fourth.

Zentrate ran on into fifth and Smart Twister held on for sixth.

Rawiller showed his genuine liking for the Ascot track by positioning Charteux three back on the fence and then threading his way through the field to come with a perfectly timed run to win the Derby.

Gary Fennessy the travelling foreman for the Hayes stable was full of praise for his jockey and his horse, stating that Charteux would be a genuine contender during the Spring Carnival in Malbourne.

Rawiller has been Perth since Monday and was overjoyed when Charteux ($4.80) completed his final piece of fast work at Ascot last Tuesday.

“After that work I was supremely confident. He went super and the Melbourne form usually holds up strongly in Perth and once we drew barrier one I couldn’t see him being beaten.” Rawiller said.

Bridgestone had the perfect run throughout sitting just off the speed in the one out line and he came with a well timed run but couldn’t withstand the powerful Charteux finish.

Brother Mak was one spot further back tracking Bridgestone and joined in the battle at the 200 metres but couldn’t overhaul the leaders.

God Has Spoken was the unlucky runner with Steven Parnham being badly held up for clear running at the top of the straight and then switching back to the fence to find clear room.

The Oaks winner Impressive Jeuney may have gone to the well one too many times after setting a solid gallop which resulted in a high 2.27 time for the race she knocked up to finish out of the money.

Chartreux is owned by a powerful group of Victorian owners and Blue Sky Thoroughbreds which have horses racing in Perth and Sam Hayes a nephew of David and spokesman for the group, hinted that there would be more Hayes trained horses racing Perth in the next twelve months.

Mark Pilkington purchased Charteux for $70,000 at the 2008 Perth Magic Millions Classic Sale.

The three year old is by Catbird out of the Bonhomie mare French Resort and with today’s major win has stake money earnings climbed to $460,000 from four career wins.

What they said

“We brought him over here so we could qualify for the big races later this year in Melbourne. He will be a genuine contender as will the second and third placed horses if they go across.” - Gary Fennessy.

“It was like a working holiday to come across here to Perth and look after him. His work all week filled me with confidence and we had a great run throughout.” Brad Rawiller.

“That was a great ride from Brad. This is a fantastic thrill for the owners; you do not get a chance to win Group 1 races very often. He has graduated from a handicap horse to a Group horse as these stayers often do.” - Sam Hayes.