A hugely popular win to wrap up Derby day at Flemington with the Udyta Clarke-trained Rich Charm coming with a barnstorming finish under Patrick Moloney to claim the $300,000 Group II TAB Multiplier (Linlithgow) Stakes (1200m).
Moloney flourished the whip in the air as the favoured Rich Charm downed Missrock by a length with another length back to The Monstar in third. (photo Grant Courtney)
It was the fifth win in the last six starts for the 5yo son of Danerich who was coming off a victory in the Listed Italktravel Stakes at Caulfield.
It advances the overall record of Rich Charm to 8 wins, 2 seconds and 3 thirds from 17 starts with earnings of $692,900.
"He's a freak – he's got some untapped ability. Today he had no right to win," Moloney said.
"I was in a bit of trouble coming on to the course proper, I thought where am I going to go, I've got a lapful of
"He's got a fantastic turn of foot, he gave them eight lengths and gobbled them up.
"He's a special horse."
"I nearly put him on the truck to take him home at 4-o'clock," Clarke said.
"I looked at all the other horses and thought they're so big, so strong and look at my horse, he's like a little pony. I looked and looked and looked and thought, no, let's go home.
"Every other race I've coped but today it has really got to me.
"When he knocked his tooth out at Caulfield he had a shocking toothache and wasn't happy. The dentist came and said it would heal up but he was so uncomfortable for ten days."
Part-owned and bred by his trainer, Rich Charm is the fourth foal of the winning Kingston Mill mare Charmly who was twice placed in Melbourne.
Not served in 2015, Charmly has a 2yo filly by Moshe and was covered by Nostradamus last spring.
Danerich (Danehill) stands his 11th season at Rangal Park in 2017 at a fee of $6,600.
