Just Charlie takes New Zealand Cup

The combination of trainer Kevin Myers and jockey Lily Sutherland were to the fore again at Riccarton as Just Charlie proved the best stayer on the day to claim victory in the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton.

The free-going galloper was trained to the minute by the master that is Myers and had indicated he was ready to run the race of his life after taking out the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2590m) on the first day of the Carnival.

Sutherland had been aboard for the lead-up event, where the combination had made all the pace to secure victory, however, this time she was prepared to let northern raider Hezashocka the front-running role as she sat in the trail before angling off the rails at the 500m as the wide runners began to swoop.

Just Charlie shot to the lead and set up a winning break as both Trav and With Grace chased him hard, however the son of Zed was packing plenty of punch as he went to the line two lengths to the good of the pair.

For Myers it was his fifth win in the race having taken it with Spring Cheer in 2013, Mondorani in 2021, Aljay in 2022 and last year with classy mare Bozo.

Fittingly it was Myers’ son Luke who accepted the plaudits on behalf of his father.

“When they can win a big race like this it is such a thrill, but he deserved it,” Myers said.

“We are just over the moon for Lily Sutherland, as the work she has been doing is just amazing and especially on this horse, as she rides him in every gallop and has such a good combination now.

“We told her to let them go if something wanted to take her on, as last year he would get over-racing, but now he just drops the bit and when he got out today his staying ability kicked in.

“The owners are great people and will be talking about this for years. We are just over the moon for them.”

Sutherland admitted it had taken her quite some time to pull the horse up after the winning post and not just because he was going so strongly.

“Charlie just deserved that,” she said.

“The horse (Hezashocka) wanted to lead so we took a sit and he (Just Charlie) settled beautifully.

“We got held up a bit around the home turn, but he hit the line so well.

“I can’t thank the Myers team enough, as they have been so good to me, and it did take a while to pull up as I was thinking a lot about that.”

A son of Zed out of the Danasinga mare Goody Two Shoes, Just Charlie was bred by his owners Mike and Roz Southey. He has now won eight races and placed in a further ten, with stakes earnings just over $585,000.