Racing
Successful season set to continue for training partners
A treble of majors have highlighted an excellent season for John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.
It has been just over a year since Tom Charlton officially joined John O’Shea as a training partner and the pair is hoping to finish their first fully fledged season on a strong note.
O'Shea and Charlton had their first runner on July 2 last year, producing Bartolf for a victory at Scone, and success has continued to be the theme of their partnership.
Along with a consistent season in which they have trained 35 city victors at an impressive strikerate of over 15 per cent winners to runners, they have also celebrated a trio of Group 1 triumphs courtesy of Schwarz in the William Reid Stakes (1200m), Linebacker in the Randwick Guineas (1600m) and Maison Louis in the Queensland Derby (2400m).
Having worked for O'Shea for more than six years, Charlton said the past 12 months hadn't been significantly different, but it had been enormously satisfying.
"It wasn't a massive change but it is one I have thoroughly enjoyed and I'm very lucky," Charlton said.
"We've got a fantastic group of staff and a great group of horses that hopefully we can continue to improve on.
"Winners-wise, the stats have been good. We've had three individual Group One winners so it has been an excellent season."
The duo will have up to five runners at Randwick, including Getafix, a $2.50 equal favourite for the TAB Handicap (1400m), although as second emergency he still needs one more scratching to be assured of a place in the field.
The three-year-old has always been held in high regard but finally put it all together last start when scoring by almost six lengths on the Kensington track.
"He was well thought of as a two-year-old. He and Linebacker were probably our two picks and both of them were our Golden Rose nominations last year," Charlton said.
"Last time at the Kensington track we got a situation where he relaxed off a really good ride and was very strong.
"He has never been the easiest horse in that respect, but the way he was ridden and did it last time has hopefully given him a bit of confidence to go and do it again.
"Jason (Collett) should suit him really well. He is a kind, soft hands kind of rider, and if the horse can replicate that again, obviously he is well up to this grade."
Their team also includes Captain Amelia in the final race and Charlton says she was unlucky not to have finished closer at Rosehill last start when fifth to Saturday's rival Changing Colours.
"Her last run had merit. She never really had a chance to finish off," he said.
"She needs a few things to go her way, previously she has drawn awkwardly or she has been a bit crowded and hasn't been seen to best effect.
"But back to Randwick hopefully she can get a smoother run in transit and she is definitely capable of winning in this grade."
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