Despite her long odds, Golden Charmer had credible lead up form - having always shown promise but not enjoying the best of luck in several races. Hard on the heels of the placegetters at her previous outing at Ballarat, she struggled to get a clear run and at her previous outing she got too far back in a slowly run race.

But all went well for her this time, the three-year-old enjoying a good run behind the leaders - a strong kick at the top of the straight giving her a winning break.

"She travelled well," said jockey Dean Yendall, "and she was pretty tough - she did a good job. Over the final stages she was just giving, giving, giving."

Trainer Danny O'Sullivan was pleased to see Golden Charmer in the winners circle, having always had a good opinion of her.

"She has shown herself to be tough without having had much luck in her races," he said, adding that "she is still learning."

Confident that Golden Charmer will continue to improve as she steps up in distance, he was enthusiastic when asked if she would be all the better next time in.

"No doubt about it!"

Golden Charmer was bred and is raced by Peter Cameron and Maureen Black. She is the eighth foal produced by their now retired Dahar mare Georgia Jean, also dam of the stakes placed multiple winner Scenic Scene and three other winners.

Considered by her owners as "the best conformed horse we have bred," Golden Charmer is the first of Georgia Jean's two Golden Snakes, a two-year-old bay colt being given time to mature.

Part of a great run for the progeny of Golden Snake, Golden Charmer is one of her four times Gr.1 winning sire's 42 individual winners from limited runners to date. Golden Snake's money earners to runners strike rate sits on a healthy 72% from his first two crops.

His oldest Australian progeny are four and he has been well represented by the likes of stakes winner Antidotes, stakes placegetters Wayne's Gold and Paloma Bella and recent promising winners Point Of Impact, Gold Gauntlet, Surprise Strike, Dimmy Simmy and Golden Papillon.

Also faring well in Europe where Cuba Candy was crowned Austria's Champion 3Y0, Golden Snake is in Australia to stay - Bombora Downs on the scenic Mornington Peninsula his new home from this spring.

Due to the EI outbreak Golden Snake was prevented from entering Victoria last year, covering a handful of mares in NSW on a private basis. Golden Snake (who did not contract the disease) will be warmly welcomed back by mare owners who view him as the ideal owner/breeder horse - a stallion who sires tough, sound winning progeny with scope to go on as older horses.

"He fills a gap in the market," said Lynden Park Stallions' Julie Nairn who manages Golden Snake's career - "we have many breeders telling us that they would rather breed a durable horse with a good turn of foot with strength and stamina than an early coming type with a limited career."

"There are many more chances to win good mile and classic races including some fantastic staying races than there are to win big juvenile events so for the average breeder a stallion like Golden Snake is an excellent option."

"He has sired winners from 1100m to 2500m and like their sire, who won at two, they just get better as they mature."

Standing this season at $6,600 with extended payment terms available on request, Golden Snake can be viewed at: www.lyndenparkstud.com.au

PICS - Greg Irvine. 

Lynden Park Stallions Media Release Published 23/06/08