Charles Road chases knighthood

Charles Road will earn another Australian trip if he can run up to expectations in today’s Group One Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie.

Third in last year’s Sydney Cup (3200m) under his Australian racing name of Sir Charles Road, the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scotttrained Myboycharlie five-year-old again has the Randwick $A2 million April 13 feature on his programme.

But first he needs to showcase his staying potency in an Ellerslie feature he could only finish fifth in last year. ‘‘He’s entered for Sydney but he’s first got to show that he warrants going,’’ Scott said.

However, stable confidence is high that Charles Road will earn his trip, a flashing last-start fourth in the Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m) at Matamata under 60.5kg convincing TAB bookmakers to install him a $3.30 favourite for Auckland Cup.

‘‘It was a really pleasing performance,’’ Scott said. ‘‘It indicated to us he’s coming up really well and racing in a manner that suggests he’s looking for the two miles. We were very pleased.

‘‘His body weight indicates that he’s spot on, he’s hitting out freely in training and his fitness levels look to be very high.’’

A winner of six of his 28 starts for owners Archer Equine Investments, Charles Road will attempt 3200m for the fourth time today, having most recently finished seventh in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington last November after challenging for the lead 400m out.

‘‘While he hasn’t won at the trip, his three runs have all been solid. You wouldn’t say he’s a proven twomiler but he’s a sound two-miler and everything says he won’t have any problem getting the trip on Saturday.’’

Scott is full of respect for Charles Road’s opposition, having chased runner-up Five To Midnight in last year’s Auckland Cup and come up against Vengeur Masque, who placed in the Sandown Cup (3200m), after last year’s Melbourne Cup. NZ Racing Desk