Something about the Queensland sun brings the best out of talented New Zealand-bred mare Charmmebaby, who picked up the second stakes win of her career in yesterday's Listed 1600m at Eagle Farm.
Charmmebaby moved north to the Sunshine State last December to join trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith, and quickly stepped up to stakes level with a win in the Listed Brisbane Handicap (1640m) and a second in the Listed Bernborough Plate (1600m).
Her winter carnival campaign has brought more of the same this month, finishing second in the Listed Spear Chief Handicap (1500m).
Patiently ridden by Craig Williams in yesterday's A$150,000 feature, Charmmebaby rounded the home turn in third place along the rail and was poised to pounce as soon as a gap presented itself in the straight.
A narrow opening appeared inside the final 200m, and Williams and Charmmebaby took full advantage, bursting through to take the lead. Kubrick and Kirwan's Lane flashed home late in a grandstand finish but Charmmebaby crossed the line with a margin of a neck up her sleeve.