Charlie Brown (NZ) Clinches Championship Title

Charlie Brown (NZ) (Art Major) powered his way to a richly deserved win in the $113,000 Listed Hydroflow Country Championship Final (3200m) at Addington on Friday night.

The combination of pinpoint training and a perfectly timed drive from John Dunn saw the NZB Standardbred graduate stand tall in a thrilling finish to the two-mile feature.

Charlie Brown was purchased for $75,000 by Diamond Racing from the Hollis & Robertson Equine Services draft at the 2021 National Yearling Sale at Auckland.

The pacer has competed with merit against the best of his age group throughout his stellar career.

On Saturday night, the four-year-old capped his outstanding form with a thoroughly deserved success in his Listed staying test for his owners, Ross and Angela Gordon.

“He is a lovely horse, he wasn’t far behind those good three-year-olds, he’s come back a bit stronger and this is great for Ross and Angela,” John Dunn said.

Charlie Brown showed off his strength when holding off an outstanding field where just one length covered the first five horses home.

The pacer was parked early before a several mid-race moves saw him shuffled back on the outer.

Rather than joining the mid-race movers, Dunn elected to bid his time before Charlie Brown sustained a big finish from the 500m.

“There was a bit of mid-race pressure up front and I had the momentum up around the bend and he just got there in time,” the reinsman said.

Just a nose split Charlie Brown and his stablemate from the Robert and Jenna Dunn stable Dalton Shard (NZ) (Always B Miki) on the line.

NZB Standardbred graduate Dalton Shard rallied strongly along the inner in an excellent second placing.

Dalton Shard was also purchased by Diamond Racing, for $67,500 when offered by breeder-vendors Shard Farm at the 2021 National Yearling Sale at Christchurch.

After working in the middle stages sitting parked, Alta Meteor (NZ) (Mach Three) fought on gamely to take third for trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer.

Alta Meteor was purchased as a weanling for $25,000 by Stonewall Stud when he was offered by Alabar at the 2020 All Age Sale.

Alabar will offer a strong draft of weanlings at the upcoming 2024 National Weanling Sale at Auckland on May 23.

In an outstanding result, NZB Standardbred graduates filled the first six placings in Friday night’s $113,000 feature.

Double Time (NZ) (A Rocknroll Dance) took fourth ahead of Beach Flybye (NZ) (Downbytheseaside) and Mo’unga (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).