Until recently, first crop sire Myboycharlie was an unknown quantity in Australia but two winners in as many weeks put Vinery’s imported stallion on the map.
Charlie Boy was the first to make his mark with a Rosehill win on November 17 with Artistic Lass placed a week later and Chasing Charlie successful at Canberra last Friday.
Trainer Bjorn Baker is looking to Charlie Chopsticks to continue the trend when he makes his debut at Rosehill on Saturday.
Unlike many Australians, Baker has first-hand knowledge of Myboycharlie, the 2007 French juvenile champion.
“I saw Myboycharlie win his Group One at Deauville in the rain,” Baker said.
“I was working in Europe at the time.”
While many trainers prefer to start youngsters over the shortest possible distance, Baker believes Charlie Chopsticks is ideally suited to make his debut over 1200 metres.
“He is out of an Oaks-placed mare and later on more ground will be his forte,” he said.
“The 1200 metres will be right up his alley.”
Charlie Chopsticks is the first foal of Queen Of Queens, winner of the 2007 Group Three South Australian Fillies Classic (2500m) and placed in the Group One Schweppes Oaks (2000m).
The Mick Price-trained filly was also fourth in the Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick that year.
Baker will be double-handed in Saturday’s two-year-old race with Trafalgar Belle also making her debut.
“She’s a nice scopey filly who I think will also get over a trip,” he said.
“These races are a bit softer than they will be in a few weeks.
“They can run or go to a trial so they might as well run for prize money.”
The in-form Cantonese also represents the stable at Rosehill while Burbero begins his Australian career at Newcastle.
The four-year-old has had two starts in New Zealand for a win and a third when prepared by Baker’s father and former training partner Murray who has taken over veteran Mr Tipsy, the winner of two Sydney races in July.
“Mr Tipsy has gone back to New Zealand but his owner Scott Richardson has sent me a replacement in Burbero,” Baker said.
“Mr Tipsy did well to get two city wins but he’s getting harder to place now.
“Burbero looks like a nice horse so hopefully he can perform well here.”
